Google film crew captures journey of Black Gold student with diverse needs finding more independence
A student is able to better communicate this year, thanks to new Google technology that Black Gold helped him access. The technology has made such a difference in his life that Google recently sent a film crew to Beaumont to document the journey and the technology’s impact.
Seventh grade student Liam, at École Dansereau Meadows School, has cerebral palsy, and has previously had to rely on his Educational Assistant to scribe school assignments and type for him.
Newly released facial recognition technology has changed these circumstances immensely, allowing Liam to use facial gestures and head movements in place of typing on a keyboard and scrolling with a mouse.
“He’s completely independent,” EA Marcie Kagi says. “He can use predictive text now, where he can type his answers, so I don’t have to type for him.”
Compared to just two years ago, she says the difference is huge.
“I was literally scribing for him all day long. Now, sometimes, I don’t even sit beside him. I can help others in the classroom because he’s able to do it by himself.”
Black Gold’s technology integration facilitator, Darren Maltais, is hopeful that this technology will also help other students in the division with diverse needs, be more independent.
“We just want every student to succeed, and now we have a good solution for Liam.” He says. “All of our students need equitable access to these things, and these technology tools help us get there.”
Maltais notes that other students, from individuals who are English language learners to those with restricted mobility challenges like Liam, will also benefit from these technology advances.
Maltais says he shared his excitement about the application of the new technology for Liam with a Google representative. The Google rep was excited too, and then Google arranged to come to EDMS to tell the story. They plan to release their video on May 21 for Global Accessibility Awareness Day.
With Google representatives highlighting Liam and his newfound independence, school principal, Janine Woronuk, is hopeful that other schools outside of Black Gold will be inspired on how to work with students with diverse needs.
“If it in any way helps shape somebody else’s path that requires support, I think that that’s fantastic,” she says, “I’m pretty proud that they’re able to share with others on a global platform that this is what we’re doing at our school in the division”
