Wellness

With the help of high-tech prosthetics, individuals with amputations compete in track events at the International Paralympics Games. Athletes participate in events based upon "classes" or different levels of amputations and other disabilities.

At the 2004 Paralympics in Athens, Greece, Marlon Shirley from the United States retained his title as the World's Fastest Leg Amputee when he won the T44 100-meter dash in a Paralympics record of 11.08 seconds. Compare this to the 2004 Olympic record held by Justin Gatlin from the United States at 9.85 seconds.

Check out more sports records by athletes who use "assistive technology" at http://www.blazesports.com.

Technology

This is a relatively new development in our digital age. Computers and other electronic devices have been created to help sight-, hearing-, and physically-impaired individuals become productive citizens. Students should have examples of assistive technologies shown to them. Ask students to catalog assistive technologies in their school and at home. As a design challenge, ask the students to brainstorm and record ideas for possible potential assistive technologies that might be found in the home or school in the future.