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Did you know there are over 11 million people with a limiting long-term illness, impairment or disability in the UK? The Office for Disability Issues, state that someone with a disability is half as likely as someone without to hold a degree qualification. It is the duty of universities to ensure that students have access to the right learning tools for successful education.

But can technology be the answer?

There are an array of assistive technologies to aid students with special-needs, in offering them support, independence and confidence in the learning environment. Universities must now outline how they can support special needs students in a Disability Statement, offering all students an equal opportunity to learn and accomplish qualifications. Universities can make some simple changes to existing campus devices and discover an array of accessibility tools that will help aid learning for students with limitations.

E-textbooks

Following a study by the Higher Education Academy in the UK, it was indicated that resources are a common issue affecting the happiness of disabled students. E-textbooks offer the ability to scale text to your needs or to make use of text-to-speech software. It also allows you to hold an unlimited number of textbooks all on one device – so no more struggling to juggle lots of heavy books that also cost a fortune to buy!

Online resources

Similar to E-books, students can now access all types of digital learning materials online, including whitepapers, journals, blogs and more. Content sharing has become increasingly popular with the development of the cloud, using solutions such as Google Drive and Microsoft SharePoint. Students and teachers can share notes, presentations and other documents in one central place for anyone to access (anywhere and at any time), offering a totally accessible world of knowledge to all students.

Keyboards

University IT departments can now arrange to have their devices and desktops set up with Keyboard shortcuts for easy access to apps. This saves time and offers ease to students with disabilities.

A standard keyboard has over 100 keys, which can appear confusing and intimidating to some students. Universities can purchase special built keyboards for assistive learning, with features that include larger keys with audible click, bigger gaps between keys or coloured keys to distinguish between vowels, consonants and numbers.

Touchscreens

Some students with learning difficulties may find it hard to relate the movement of their hand on the mouse to the movement of the cursor on the screen. Therefore, it is advisable that educational institutions keep stock of touchscreen devices for students who may struggle using the standard mouse. Other mouse alternatives are also available if touchscreens are not an option.

Accessibility features

Different features are available for different types of disabilities. For example, those with a vision impairment can benefit from increasing the colour contrast of text and images or braille narration. Alternatively, those with a hearing loss can take advantage of visual alternatives to sounds such as Skype translator, visual notifications and for longer or mono audio for those with partial deafness. Setting up in-house devices with these features or offering training to students to set features up on their personal devices will hugely benefit in aiding their learning.

Dominated by technology

Technology is probably the most powerful tool that surrounds us today. With the worldwide reach of the Internet, a new age of ‘anytime anywhere’ education has begun.

Universities and Schools alike must prepare the next generation for a world ultimately dominated by technology. The possibilities technology can provide education are limitless. Information is now within the palm of our hands and accessible within seconds. Whether a student needs to revisit key moments in history, or read up on scientific research that could change lives forever, it is now at the click of a button. No longer than 10 short years ago, the main source of research was through books. Literature was our only path to discovery.

The classroom community now goes much further than just the physical classroom – students can work collaboratively no matter where they are in the world, handing in assignment can now be done at the click of a button, and lecturers can provide personal feedback in an instant message. The functionality of an iPad alone allows the user to carry education assets with them wherever they go. There are now thousands of downloadable Apps, which can support teachers and students in everything they need, be it revision or lesson planning.

Keeping up with technology in education does not have to be expensive. Visit theEDUstore where you will receive exclusive savings on all Apple product! Register with your .ac.uk or .sch.uk email address today.

Visit: www.theEDUstore.co.uk

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