Introduction

Students with disabilities may face a range of difficulties when pursuing higher education at university. Some of the challenges they may encounter include physical barriers, attitudinal barriers, financial barriers, mental health issues, lack of support, stigma and discrimination. On top of all these are several academic challenges depending on the disability of the student, that constraint them from certain academic tasks, such as reading, writing, or taking tests. Most of the times these challenges are repellent in allowing students to complete their studies. It’s important for universities to work to address these challenges and provide support to ensure that all students have equal opportunities to succeed.

There is, however a variety of approaches and technologies used to assist students with disabilities, depending on their specific needs. These approaches are facilitated by a whole set of ICT (Information and Communication Technology) tools (physical and digital) that play a significant role in supporting students with disabilities in their education.

Students with disabilities have unique needs but also opportunities in their academic life. On the one hand every SwD should have an accessible infrastructure where buildings, accomondation infrustructures and facilities are fully accessible to students with disabilities, including access to extracurricular activities. This includes ramps, elevators, and other accommodations that make it easier for students to navigate the campus. On the other hand, digital accesibility makes use of technological advancments to support inclusive curriculum. Assistive technology can assit studies, including screen readers, text-to-speech software, and other tools that make it easier to access and interact with digital materials. Adiitonal counseling and support services and employment opportunities can help SwD access employment opportunities gain valuable experience and prepare for their future careers. Benefits of assistive technology for students with disabilities, including improved academic performance, increased participation in class, and greater independence[1]. The impact of assistive technology on the academic performance of university students with disabilities, finding that it can significantly improve their grades and overall academic performance.[2]

The Learning Objectives covered by the Module

Units within the Module :

[1] “Assistive technology in the classroom: enhancing the school experiences of students with disabilities” (Beukelman & Mirenda, 2005)

[2] “Impact of assistive technology on the academic performance of university students with disabilities: an exploratory study” (Alkahtani et al., 2020)