Research Project (Final Assignment) – 400 Points
Purpose: The purpose of your final research project is to demonstrate your understanding of the course material and its practical application. It is designed to allow you to focus on specific populations of people with disabilities (and perhaps involve an individual you personally know), demonstrate deep knowledge in a particular area of AT, and a systematic evaluation of the AT needs of an individual.
Success criteria are listed below with associated point values.
The research project in this course will serve as your final and should include the following characteristics:
o I482 & N485 students: 8-10 pages (double-spaced, 12-point font)
o I590 students: 12-15 pages (double-spaced, 12-point font)
o In-depth research project on a particular disability category and type of AT:
o Choice of anyone listed below:
Low vision,
Blindness,
Deaf-blind,
Multiple disabilities,
Deaf,
Hard of hearing,
Mobility disability such as spinal cord injury, neurological condition, degenerative mobility condition, Cerebral Palsy, fine motor issues, etc.
Learning disability,
Intellectual disability,
Autism,
Age-related disabilities,
Other disability of student’s choice with instructor’s approval (by two weeks before the due date of this assignment).
o Project will include research on:
1. The nature of the chosen disability, functional limitations, and progression of the chosen disability, if applicable (70 points).
2. Interview with a person with this particular disability and/or their family member or care provider (80 points):
This can be demonstrated in a written or video format, with the permission of the parties to be interviewed.
Examples of topics to be covered in the interview: the person’s disability conditions, strengths and/or barriers identified, goals in relation to the setting picked in requirement 3, and/or the kind of Assistive Technology (“AT”) this person is using or has used previously, and/or whatever information that can help you determine the appropriate AT you would recommend, etc. This is by no means an exhaustive list and is only intended to provide you with some examples of discussion topics.
3. Systematic evaluation and recommendation of appropriate AT in a specific setting such as Home, School, Workplace, Community navigation, or Other (110 points) for the person you interviewed:
State the medical conditions, vocational or educational or independent living goals, job or other daily duties, tasks intended to achieve, the technological background of this person, the
environment, or settings this person is in, and any assumptions, if necessary, especially when some facts might not be readily available.
Recommended AT to help this person to meet his or her goals must include the web-links, manufacturer of any AT devices or software, costs of any AT devices or software, features of the AT devices or software, etc.
If you do not feel comfortable writing it all out in a traditional research paper style, this can be substituted with a chart, table, or picture of your own creation, etc. However, this kind of presentation must be supported with descriptions that can help the readers understand the information clearly. It can be included in an appendix which has to be within the 8-12-page range.
4. Training outline and learning objectives for recommended AT (70 points):
Present how you would plan the training with learning objectives for the person you interviewed to use the recommended AT to reach his or her goals in the specified setting.
5. Development of a resource kit for current and future needs related to the chosen disability and AT need (70 points):
If you do not feel comfortable writing it all out in a traditional research paper style, this can be substituted with a chart, table, or picture of your own creation, etc. However, this kind of presentation must be supported with descriptions that can help the readers understand the information clearly. It can be included in an appendix which has to be within the 8-12-page range.
Examples include a list of support contact information, a list of Frequently Asked Questions, a set of step-by-step instructions for different scenarios, a list of weblinks for the organizations, etc. This is by no means an exhaustive list and is only intended to provide you with some examples of items to be included in the resource kit.
6. Bonus Points for I482 & N485 students (required for I590 students): Identify and discuss any relevant research trends to monitor related to a particular disability (50 points).
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Research Project on Assistive Technology for Individuals with Disabilities
Thesis Statement: The utilization of assistive technology (AT) plays a crucial role in enhancing the quality of life and independence of individuals with disabilities. Through in-depth research, interviews, systematic evaluation, and recommendation of appropriate AT, as well as the development of a comprehensive resource kit, this project aims to address the specific needs of individuals with disabilities and provide valuable insights into improving their daily living experiences.
When embarking on a research project focusing on assistive technology for individuals with disabilities, it is essential to understand the unique challenges and requirements of different disability categories. By delving into the nature of the chosen disability, its functional limitations, and potential progression, researchers can gain a comprehensive understanding of the individual’s needs and how AT can address those needs effectively.
Interviewing individuals with disabilities or their caregivers is a crucial aspect of this research project. By gaining insights into their experiences, strengths, barriers, goals, and current use of AT, researchers can tailor their recommendations to suit the specific needs of the individual. This interview process allows for a personalized approach to identifying the most suitable AT solutions for enhancing independence and fulfilling goals in various settings such as home, school, workplace, or community navigation.
A systematic evaluation of the individual’s needs and the recommendation of appropriate AT involve considering factors such as medical conditions, vocational or educational goals, daily tasks, technological background, and environmental settings. By providing detailed recommendations for AT devices or software, including web-links, manufacturers, costs, and features, researchers can guide individuals towards the most effective solutions for their unique circumstances.
Developing a training outline with clear learning objectives for using the recommended AT is essential for ensuring successful implementation and integration into daily routines. By outlining a structured training plan tailored to the individual’s goals and setting, researchers can empower individuals with disabilities to maximize the benefits of AT in achieving greater independence and productivity.
Creating a comprehensive resource kit that addresses current and future needs related to the chosen disability and AT requirement is vital for ongoing support and guidance. This resource kit may include contact information, FAQs, step-by-step instructions, weblinks to relevant organizations, and other valuable resources to assist individuals in navigating their AT journey effectively.
In conclusion, conducting a research project on assistive technology for individuals with disabilities involves a multifaceted approach that encompasses deep knowledge of specific disability categories, personalized interviews, systematic evaluation of AT needs, targeted recommendations, training outlines, and resource kit development. By following these success criteria and incorporating innovative solutions tailored to individual needs, researchers can make a meaningful impact on improving the lives of individuals with disabilities through the effective application of assistive technology.
