Bringing Actors Together – ICT for Disabled Students

Rebecka NäslundLuleå University of Technology

Department of Human Work Science

Disposition

» Introduction to disability and technology.

» Introduction to computers and disability.

» Introduction to computers in school.

» Conclusion and recommendations.

Purpose

To present how ICT can be and is part of disabled peoples’ everyday lives.

The Questions

» How is/can ICT be used in relation to people with disabilities?

» How do pupils with intellectual disability use ICT?

» What recommendations can be included when one focuses on ICT and pupils with disabilities?

Disability

» Disability comes into existence as part of a relationship between the body and the surrounding environment.

» Disability is a concept which includes bodies, the environment

and technology and the relations between them.

Disability and ICT

» Technology and disability have a long history.

» ICT has benefits but also problems for people with disability.

» There exists a digital divide between people with/without disability in relation to ICT.

Computers and Disability

Computers and Disability

Computers and Disability

» The Hal Screen reader is a software which enables people with visual impairments to access and use computers.

» It is a software which costs around 795 USD for 1 user licence.

The Computerized School

The Computerized School

The Computerized School

The Computerized School

The Computerized School

Study of ICT and Disability

School for Pupils With Intellectual Disabilities

» In 1968, the 1967 Act on special services for some mentally retarded was implemented.

» The compulsory special school consists of: - The compulsory school for pupils with

learning disabilities - The training school

» Upper secondary school for pupils with learning disabilities consists of:- The national- The specially designed- The individual programmes

The Computerized School

» Computers and information technology have been part of schools for almost 30 years.

» In 1999 the project ITiS (IT in School) was implemented.

Using ICT during the Schooldays

»The amount of computers varied.

»Varied forms of use.

My interview with the intellectual disabled students, student # 1

Rebecka:…Do you think that it is good with computer in the school then?Martin: Yes.Rebecka: Is there an enough amount?Martin: Yes.Rebecka: You do not think that you should have more computers?Martin: Yes.Rebecka: You think so?Martin: Yes.Rebecka: How many should there be then?Martin: Six.Rebecka: Six, why should there be six?Martin: (Cannot hear what is being said) Put there also because.Rebecka: Do you think there should be one for you, one for each pupil?Martin: Yes.

ICT in Everyday Life

» Computers are fun.

» Used for playing games, visiting home pages.

» Way to occupy oneself, learn about one’s interests.

» Communication.

My interview with the intellectual disabled students, student # 2Rebecka: Okay, why do you think, do you think it is important with

the computer? Do you think it is important to be well up on computers?Erin: Yes.Rebecka: Why?Erin: Hm, to be able to check my mail, if any friends have written to me.Rebecka: Okay.Erin: I have lots of friends on my Lunar.Rebecka: Do you?Erin: Yes.Rebecka: Okay.Erin: Over 50.Rebecka: Oh.Erin: It is true.Rebecka: Is it friends you have here in town then? Do you have as many friends in town?Erin: No, not, it is some that I know, that I use to be with. Maybe 5, 10.

The Youths’ Views of the Computer

The Youths’ Views of the Computer

The Youths’ Views of the Computer

Conclusion & Recommendations

»It is important to consider differences and similarities among people with and without disabilities.

»People with disabilities, can by adopting ICT in their everyday lives, be enabled to open up for new educational, employment and social prospects.

»More has to be done in the public schools in order to gain from the benefits of ICT.

Conclusion & Recommendations

» Set up projects where staff and pupils at school can work with ways to use ICT in their everyday school practices.

» It is advisable that these project are implemented by using some form of resource personal.

» Provide staff who are interested in technical issues with possibilities to learn more about them.

Conclusion & Recommendations

» Provide the schools with technology and software in accordance with the staffs’ and pupils’ needs.

» If possible provide the staff and the pupils with computers and software so they can explore ICT also outside the school.

Conclusion & Recommendations

Once the project is over:

» Provide overall technical support.

» Bring the staff and pupils together and have a workshop were the knowledge from the projects can be disseminated.

Bringing Actors Together – ICT for Disabled Students

Rebecka NäslundLuleå University of Technology

Department of Human Work Science