Empowering Communication for Students with Speech Impairments: Designing an Assistive Technology Framework for Enhanced Educational Engagement

This research investigates the design of an assistive technology framework to facilitate increased educational participation and communication among students with speech impairments based on the field of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). Overcoming current hindrances such as limited accessibility, exorbitant costs, and lack of adequate teacher training, the study incorporates sophisticated tools such as AI-powered speech recognition, text-to-speech, speech- generating devices, and augmented reality. The design prioritizes usability, accessibility, and personalization while ensuring alignment with principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Quantitatively, the research shows that the proposed system enhances communication skills and active participation in learning substantially. Results underscore the importance of inclusive design, collaboration with stakeholders, and continued technological innovation to create equal opportunities for education among speech-impaired students.