By Susan Smith Nash, Ph.D. Even with the loss of limbs, the consequences of traumatic brain injury, and impaired vision and hearing, veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are able to take online courses, thanks to advances in technology and new approaches to content delivery. They can also prepare themselves for careers in many different fields, and can take advantage of career placement services for wounded veterans.
One Soldier's Story
Specialist Maria Cardena-Diaz still has only a hazy memory of the incident that took away 50 percent of her vision, left her with headaches, reduced mobility in her left arm, and a leg amputated below the knee. It happened during her second deployment to Iraq as she was traveling down a road to check on a lead that there was a weapons cache in a nearby village. An improvised explosive device detonated. The force of the blast gave her a concussion, and left her with injuries. It killed one of her companions, a young private who had just gotten engaged to his girlfriend.
Recovery was slow, and she worried about her future. Although Maria was able to walk, bright lights, crowds, and quick movements caused dizzy spells. That made her nervous about driving and taking courses in an on-campus environment.
Maria's goal was to eventually work with children with disabilities. To do so, she wanted to take courses in early childhood development. She discussed her situation and her goals with a counselor at the VA hospital, and also got in touch with Disabled American Veterans. After discussing her goals, she found that there were a number of online programs she could take.
Worried about her injuries, she described her difficulties with her left hand, and also the problems with flashing lights.
There was nothing to worry about, said her counselor. Many programs have courses that allow the student to use special equipment — laptops with touch screens and special keyboards, for example. Others incorporate audio and video files that can be viewed on one's iPod, iPhone, iTouch or other mobile device.
Maria signed up and successfully completed two courses in the first term.
Causes of Injuries
As opposed to other wars, where the primary injuries were bullet wounds or chemical burns, the war in Iraq and Afghanistan has involved injuries due to explosions, fire, and impact. Because of reinforced vehicles and highly effective body armor, as well as new surgical techniques and medical technology, soldiers are surviving attacks and injuries that would have killed them if they had fought in previous wars.
According to the Iran Afghanistan Veteran's Association, most injuries in the theatre of war were caused by the following:
- Improvised Explosive Devices
- Mortars
- Vehicular Accidents
Wounded Warrier Health Issues and E-Learning Accommodations
Injuries to Limbs (limited mobility, amputees)
Computers with special touch screens or keyboards
Mobile devices — content presented in audio or video, with large, easy-to-operate buttons and controls (example: iTouch courses offered by AIU)
Mobility Issues
Remote controls to play audio and video
Online course interface designed with minimal clicks or hand movements required
Allow audio responses to questions (record the student's voice for exam response, or discussion)
Use easy to access technology for student to post audio discussion responses (example: Gcast)
PTSD
Structured, predictable courses
Mastery in one leads to success in other courses that use the same template
Flexible deadlines
Relevant content/curriculum
Traumatic Brain Injury
Clear, clean presentations
No flashing icons or lights
Avoid excessive reliance on automated quizzes or activities
Limited Vision
Computers outfitted with JAWS — converts text to sound files
Scalable fonts for laptop presentation
Text or audio using iTouch/iPhone technology (scalable fonts using fingers)
Limited Hearing
Text alternative to online audio lectures
A Soldier's Success Story
As one of thousands of polytrauma survivors of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Maria realized that her victory over her physical limitations meant that many others could experience the same.
She decided to share her story, and to spend some time at the local VA center, where she and other distance students had an informal "study hall" where they shared their tips and insights into the new computer technologies that could help individuals with multiple injuries.
Resources: General
Army Behavioral Health
Disabled American Veterans
The Impact of War— Information and retrospectives of the war. Tributes to the fallen. Statistics.
Injured Soldiers Foundation
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America— Information for veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan
MedlinePlus — Veterans and Military Health
Military Severely Injured Support Page
PDHealth.mil
Seamless Transition
Specially Adapted Housing Program
U.S. Army Wounded Warrior Program
VA Polytrauma System of Care
Veterans Administration Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program
Wounded Warrior Project
Resources for Traumatic Brain Injury
Brain Injury Association of America
Center for Outcome Measurement in Brain Injury (COMBI)
Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center
MedlinePlus — Head and Brain Injuries
National Resource Center for Traumatic Brain Injury
Federal TBI Program
PTSD Resources
Military Veterans PTSD Manual
National Center for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (NCPTSD)
One Freedom Inc.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder — MedlinePlus
Post-traumatic stress disorder — National Institute of Mental Health
Amputee Resources
Amputee Coalition of America
Clinical trials.gov-Amputation
MedlinePlus — Amputees
National Amputation Foundation
UpperEx.com
The Open Prosthetics Project
War Amputees-Iraq and Afghanistan
Resources for Spinal Cord Injuries
National Spinal Cord Injury Association
MedlinePlus — Spinal Cord Injuries
Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA)
United Spinal Association
Resources for Burns
American Burn Association
MedlinePlus — Burns
The Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors
Burn Survivors Online
Resources for Blindness and Eye Injuries
American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)
Blinded Veterans Association (BVA)
National Federation for the Blind
Veterans Administration Blind Rehabilitation Service