Equipment
Technical Support for Students with Disabilities
The use of technical tools and specialized equipment is essential to ensure the full participation of students with disabilities in education. This support plays a key role in creating an accessible and inclusive learning environment. The primary areas of focus in this regard include.
Specialized Computer Equipment and Software:
Screen readers, magnifiers, and Braille keyboards for students with visual impairments.
Braille printing is now less commonly used due to newer methods such as audio and video recordings.
Speech-to-text software and tools for automatic subtitle generation for students with hearing impairments.
Digital Accessibility:
Providing educational materials in formats suitable for students with disabilities, such as.
Audiobooks or accessible PDF formats. Ensuring online platforms adhere to universal design principles.
Technical support tools are vital not only for addressing physical barriers but also for enhancing students’ academic achievements. Moreover, advancements in technology continue to improve the scope and quality of such support. Every university and educational institution must further expand their inclusive education strategies.
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For Individuals with Visual Impairments:
JAWS (Job Access With Speech): A screen reader program that operates in the Windows environment.
NVDA (Non-Visual Desktop Access): Works on Windows systems and supports multiple languages.
ZoomText: A text magnification and screen reader software designed for users with low vision.
For Individuals with Hearing Impairments:
Transcription Programs (e.g., Otter.ai, Google Live Transcribe): Converts speech into text and can be used during video calls and lectures.
Captioning Programs:
Automatic captioning services available on platforms like Zoom and Microsoft Teams.
The tables in the center have been specially adjusted to a height suitable for students in wheelchairs.
Regular meetings are held at the center with students and faculty to provide ongoing social and psychological support.