Since the launch of
Freedom Machines on PBS in 2004 the film has been presented by request at professional conferences for: teachers, ethicists, medical personal, foundation administrators, young inventors, technology and policy development, in the US and abroad. In 2007
Freedom Machines was featured at Missouri’s Power Up conference, the Collaborative AT Conference of the Rockies, the AT Playground of the National Education Computing Conference, the National School Board Association’s Technology & Leadership conference, and Industrial Designers Society of America: Connecting 2007.
How Freedom Machines is being used:
BY TEACHERS
“Highly Recommended”
—Educational Media Reviews Online
Teachers are using the Freedom Machines DVD in the Classroom with lesson plans that are alligned with National Standards. The DVD format can be tailored to time and content requirements. Go to: For Teachers (t) for more information and to find lesson plans built around diversity and disability. This page will also direct you to important resources. This DVD can be the foundation of classes and curriculums for:
- Diversity
- Social Studies
- Literature
- Universal Design
- History
- Technology
IN PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT for Teachers
“As a university adaministrator and former judge, it is my hope that this remarakable film will be shown to faculty, staff, and students on campuses throughout this country.”
—LaDoris H. Cordell, Stanford University. Special Counselor to the President for Campus Relations
Today’s educators are expected to help the most diverse student population in United States history meet the highest education standards ever set. Freedom Machines provides foundational training at both the pre-service and in-service levels for all professionals and paraprofessionals, as well anyone who works with children with disabilities. Freedom Machines introduces the human face of disability and demonstrates how assistive technologies can help students with disabilities fulfill their potential. Experienced special education teachers say Freedom Machines is a must for everyone in education today.
IN PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT for Corporate Training
“Freedom Machines opened our heart and challenged our commitment as a corporation to become more knowledgeable and involved in reaching out to those who can benefit from our products and services as the use of assistive technology grows in the marketplace.”
– Jody Garcia, Vice President Diverse Markets Group, AT&T
Human Resource Directors are using Freedom Machines as an introduction to customer service in client oriented corportate training programs. Training specialists have used the elements of the DVD to: when developing training for 504 compliance or customer assistance, when evaluating policy or creating employee training relating to topics ranging from civil rights to universal access and employment rights.
BY PARENT AND ADVOCACY GROUPS
“This powerful documentary vividly conveys the power of technology to change lives. We hope it is widely distributed so that its message of hope and transformation can be heard by those who can help bring assistive technology to the many young people who can benefit from it.”
—Wendy Lazarus & Laurie Lipper, Co-Directors, The Children’s Partnership
Parent and advocacy groups have found that Freedom Machines is a powerful discussion builder. In meetings with parents and IEP team members, communitiies and school boards Freedom Machines was used as a foundation for opening topics of discussion and before strategizing.
IN GOVERNMENT TRAINING
“Finally, a compelling case for new public policies and programs to bring Americans with disabilities the needed technologies that bring freedom from poverty and institutionalization.”
—Mary Lester, Executive Director Alliance for Technology Access
- The FREEDOM MACHINES DVD Education Package includes:
- Full length film seen on PBS
- 18 minutes of new information in four teacher friendly chapters
- Bi-lingual, English/Spanish
- State-of-the-art Accessibility Features: Talking menus, Video Description, Captions
- PDF Teaching Resources, Lesson Plan, Web-enabled links
- Chapter Cues & Segment Times for instruction and presentations
