BUILDING BRIDGES IN EDUCATION: THE IMPACT OF ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY IN CLASSROOM INCLUSION

Technology has great potential which helps us to provide access to all learners, and the ability to access the general education curriculum. Assistive technology is a generic term which includes assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices for individuals with disabilities and includes ’virtually anything that can be used to compensate for lack of certain abilities (Reed and Bowser, 2005), ranging from low-tech devices like crutches or a special grip for a pen, to more advanced technological items like hearing aids and glasses, to high-tech devices such as computers with specialized software for helping dyslexics to read (WHO, 2009). These are also known as ’technical aids’, or ’assistive equipment’ including information and communication technologies (ICT). These can be ’any item, piece of equipment or product which is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities, and help them to work around or compensate for a disability’ (Goddard, 2004: p.2), in order to participate in the activities of daily life. The present paper is an attempt to discuss the benefits and barriers of assistive technology in classrooms