Assistive Technologies for Physically Challenged Students in Kerala: a study on user’s awareness and perception

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate the physically challenged student’s awareness and use of assistive technologies in the schools of Kerala. The survey questionnaire tool was used to collect data from 111 physically challenged students, who are studying in 45 schools in Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam and Kozhikode districts. The analysis revealed that 55 (49.5%) students are aware of assistive technologies. Girls are more aware and updated (50.5%) than the boys (49.5%). All the physically challenged students who participated in the study opined that they didn’t get any instruction on using the library services and e-resources. It was found that school authorities (87.4%) are the major sources for giving training to physically challenged. It was also noted that no student is confident enough about the ability to use assistive technologies and devices and 24.3 per cent students considered their ability to use assistive technologies are average. Among the students, 66 (59.5%) have an e-mail account and almost all the students responded positively on the availability of computer education in their schools and the response rate is 96.4 per cent.