/industry-wired/media/agency_attachments/2024/12/04/2024-12-04t130344212z-iw-new.png)
/industry-wired/media/agency_attachments/2024/12/04/2024-12-04t130332454z-iw-new.jpg)
/industry-wired/media/post_attachments/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Picture20.jpg)
As our world strives toward inclusivity, education is an essential first step and, as with many other parts of our lives, the answer for special education comes in the form of technology. In this article, we’re examining the ways in which assistive technology is being used in special education.
Forward thinking special needs education is vital and, as such, special education law in the UK works hard to make sure that no child is left behind. Special education in Great Britain is guided by SEND.
As schools and educators commit to improving this sector, the key can be found in Assistive Technology, which we’ll explore in this article.
What is special needs education?
This is the term which is used to describe the schooling and education of children and young people who require more support than their peers. This can include those who require further support with:
- Communication and interaction, including speech, language, understanding and communicating with others
- Cognitive understanding and learning
- Social, emotional, and/or health difficulties
- Physical or sensory challenges
Special needs education is designed to ensure that all children and young people have access to learning tools, whatever their abilities or challenges.
How Assistive Technology is being used in special education
/industry-wired/media/post_attachments/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Picture21.jpg "publive-image")
Assistive Technology describes a suite of tools designed to help children with special needs with their learning. In this section, we’re looking at some of the tech which is empowering young people to learn better and faster:
Assistive Technology for physical challenges
Many children and young adults struggle with learning to due to a physically disability and technology can help through:
- Keyboards: for students who are visually or audibly impaired, special keyboards with large keys, braille, graphics, and voice commands make learning a much less daunting prospect.
- Navigation tools: for a student who is visually impaired, getting around a school or place of learning can present a huge challenge. Technology, such as GPS powered navigation apps, can help a child to find their way over short distances, such as from classroom to canteen - and encourage those first steps toward independence.
- Adaptive switches:these devices are created to help disabled students to switch on any device using any part of the body including arms, legs and even heads.
Assistive Technology for learning difficulties
/industry-wired/media/post_attachments/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Picture22.jpg "publive-image")
In the UK, around 353,000 children experience some kind of learning difficulty and can struggle to keep up in a standard learning environment. Some Assistive Technology tools can help these children to cope, and these include:
- Timers: electronic timers can help those with learning difficulties to better manage their time and to understand when it’s time to finish one task or activity and to move onto another.
- Dyslexia: dyslexia affects a huge number of children and adults in the UK, and can cause a great deal of anxiety as well as causing a child to be left behind in class. Tools, such as in-word processing programs and specialised speech to text apps, can transform the lives of dyslexic students.
- Organisation: apps, such as Wunderlist, are designed to help with organisational skills which a child with learning difficulties may struggle with. While these tools were created to help adults with dementia, they are proving extremely useful within special education as well.
How to gain access to Assistive Technology
When it comes to securing Assistive Technology for your special needs child, it can be difficult to know where to start. There are a few ways in which this can be achieved, and these are:
- Independent purchase: depending on your circumstances and the type of Assistive Technology your child requires, you may find it quicker and easier to simply buy the technology yourself. If choosing this route, always make sure that you shop around and only ever buy from a reputable supplier.
- School: your child’s school or place of learning may be able to help with providing your child with Assistive Technology. Your first step should be to contact the school and explain your child’s needs. The school may then request an independent evaluation to ascertain your child’s requirements before making a decision regarding the supply of a device.
- GP: in some cases, particularly where there is a physical impairment, your GP may be able to help you to acquire Assistive Technology for your child.
- Council: if you find that you’re hitting a brick wall with any of the methods above, it may be worth speaking to the education department of your local council who may be able to advise you of your rights and the support available to you.
Every child deserves an education
As 2024 approaches, no child should be at a disadvantage when it comes to gaining an education and building a more secure future. While improvements in special education are being made all the time, there’s still work to do. In the meantime, Assistive Technology can make a significant difference - both in your child’s academic performance and in their self-confidence.
If you feel that your child is being discriminated against at school, it’s important that you address this with the teacher/head teacher straight away. If this does not resolve the issue, you may want to consider consulting with a special education solicitor who will be able to advise you of your rights.