How Does the Awareness of Assistive Technology Impact Students with Disabilities’ Success At the College Level?

#34004

Speaker(s)

  • Humberto Hernandez, Instructional Designer, D'youville

Session Details

  • Length of Session: 1-hr
  • Format: Interactive/Discussion
  • Expertise Level: Beginner
  • Type of session: General Conference

Summary

This research topic proposal was developed to investigate the impact of assistive technology in the students with disabilities’ success within the context of college academia. The principal argument of this writing suggests that the lack of awareness of assistive technology by professors creates barriers that violate the rights of the disabled.

Abstract

Several theories were explored that were relevant to learning and human development. Research methodology for this paper presented a comprehensive survey from the National Survey of Student Engagement. This assessment tool measured quantitative outcomes in college students-with-disabilities engagement. Key findings revealed strong connections to theories within the literature review and evidence of the impact that the lack of knowledge and awareness of assistance technology have in students with disabilities’ success at the college level. Concluded remarks synthesized the overall findings linking assistive technology, class engagement theories, students with disabilities, and instructors’ awareness. Recommendations collectively expressed further research on this topic, application of the findings for institutional effectiveness, and encouragement of diverse, supportive, egalitarian, and equitable college environments.

Keypoints

  1. Assistive technology is used to create a more egalitarian system in human development.
  2. Students with disabilities experience lower levels of class engagement.
  3. Be aware of Assistive Technology affordances to be able to test, assess and remediate course content.

Disability Areas

All Areas

Topic Areas

Accessible Course Design, Accessible Educational Materials, Administrative/Campus Policy, Assistive Technology, Captioning/Transcription, Faculty Development & Support, Legal, Procurement, Research, Teaching about Accessibility in Curriculum, Uncategorized, Web/Media/App Access

Speaker Bio(s)

Humberto Hernandez

Humberto Hernandez is a Colombo-American accessibility activist and Assistive Technology (AT) instructor who has worked for organizations in the private and public sector to break down barriers for individuals with all type of abilities. Humberto is a certified front-end web developer and Higher Ed Peer Reviewer, and Universal Design Advocate. Humberto has dedicated a significant part of his professional life testing, assessing, and remediating websites and other authorizing tools to make them accessible for individuals with disabilities. He has created nation-wide programs like BEBs also known as Breaking Down Employment Barriers for individuals with disabilities and have worked with and for individuals with disabilities for more than 10 years.