The Family Center on Technology and Disability

Meet Danielle J. and learn about her successful use of assistive technology.

Danielle J. is an extraordinary seven and a half year old girl who has a lot to say about her life. She has been in America since she was three, when her mother, Gay J., adopted her from China. When she was first adopted, she had absolutely no language, but it has really developed over the past four and a half years. A child with deafness, she is now fluent in American sign language. She has adjusted extremely well to American culture and currently lives in Missouri with her mom and two dogs.

If you ask Danielle if she likes school, she will tell you that she absolutely loves it and everything about it. Currently, her favorite part of the school day is the time before lunch because that is when she gets to read. Every morning, Danielle works with the deaf education teacher in reading and literacy. She likes this time so much because she enjoys reading and can’t seem to get enough of it.

After lunch, she returns to an inclusive, general education classroom for the rest of the day. Her favorite parts of the afternoon are when she is in P.E., art, or reading classes. Throughout the entire school day, Danielle receives a lot of help from the assistive technology devices she uses. She uses hearing aids, Video Relay Service (VRS), text messaging, and TTY to help her communicate with others.

Danielle has been using AT since she came to America. Her mom has a very strong belief that it is important to allow children to use AT at a young age so they become familiar with the technology as they develop physically and cognitively. AT is a big part of Danielle’s and her mom’s lives. Gay works for the Missouri Assistive Technology Project and her job helps her to help her daughter.

When Danielle is not in school, she likes doing things that any seven year old girl would do. She loves to spend her spare time with her books. The one she pulls out most often is her adoption story. The book highlights how Danielle came to America from China; it illustrates the beginning of the special relationship that Danielle has with her mom and helps her remember when they first became a family. She also enjoys watching television. Her favorite shows are Spongebob Squarepants and Ed, Edd, and Eddy.

Danielle likes movies with animals in them, reflecting her love of them. She adores her two dogs and hopes to be a veterinarian when she grows up. An additional life goal is to become an artist. She is very creative and has been doing art since she was little. Her mom thinks that one day she will combine these two interests and become an illustrator for a book about animals and wildlife, or possibly work for the National Geographic. In the meantime, she is getting plenty of practice for her future by spending time with animals and by creating beautiful drawings.

Danielle is very active with her friends. Many of them are like herself, they are deaf and some of them were also adopted from China. Whether playing together at home and or participating in extra-curricular activities, Danielle and her friends have fun. Danielle has tried a number of different after-school activities. She took gymnastics for a while, and is currently very devoted to swimming. She is looking forward to being a member of the swim team at her school. In the spring, she will most likely join the softball team as well.

Danielle has been a Girl Scout since she was in kindergarten. Her mom is even the troop leader! There is another deaf girl in the troop and all of the girls are very interested in learning sign language so they can communicate better with Danielle and her friend.

Danielle has become who she is today because of the support around her. Her mom has always been a great influence in her life, and she has been lucky to have supportive friends and teachers. Technology has also offered her a lot of support, particularly in school and social situations. Danielle is a happy, busy girl who may be well on her way to becoming an artistic veterinarian!

If you have or know of a child/teen who has experienced success through the use of assistive technology that would like to be featured, please contact us at agutierr@aed.org.