CONCORD, CALIFORNIA — A high school in Concord, California, implemented a policy that requires student cellphones to be stored in locked pouches during the school day. This policy affects Soraya Martin, a student with dyslexia who relies on assistive technology for her schoolwork.
Martin uses speech-to-text software, audiobooks, and phone cameras to complete assignments. Her individualized education program legally permits her to use a cellphone and other assistive technology for accommodations. Recently, she completed a series of essays examining learning processes for individuals with dyslexia. "Academically, school has always been a really big challenge for me," Martin said. "I'm a very creative writer, I love to write stories for fun." Regarding the storage policy, she said, "I hate them."
More than 30 U.S. states have banned cellphones in schools. Laws limiting student screen use are scheduled to take effect in Alabama, Tennessee, and Utah in July. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued a surgeon general's advisory in late May, warning of screen use harms on children's health and educational outcomes.
Some state screen restriction laws include exemptions that allow students with disabilities to use assistive technology. Students with disabilities number more than 8 million and represent an increasing share of the student population.
Lindsay Jones, chief executive officer of the Center for Applied Special Technology, commented on the implementation timeline. Jones stated, "My concern is that that's a really fast period of time for this to happen." She added, "They've moved so fast that we've really left our educators and our communities of people with disabilities this summer to figure it out." Jones said, "We need educators, we need people with disabilities, we need assistive technology providers to weigh in on how such policies are implemented in the classroom. That is going to be the best way forward for everyone to achieve our goals without trampling on people's rights."
Heather Martin, Soraya Martin's parent, said, "Never once in the conversation has there been a discussion, except for me bringing it up with the other parents, about kids with disabilities." She stated, "A completely screen-free environment feels like it's throwing the baby out with the bathwater. It's not looking at screen free versus accessibility free. And for some kids, the screen is their accessibility tool."