Assistive Technology and Inclusion of Children with Disabilities in Nigeria.
Publication Date: 14/08/2024
Author(s): Claret Chinwe Okoye.
Volume/Issue: Volume 7 , Issue 3 (2024)
Abstract:
There are a lot of disabled children living in sub-Saharan Africa, and many of them do not have access to basic medical treatment. According to the UNICEF study from 2021, the majority of African countries only maintain partial records of disability statistics. This study examined assistive technology and inclusion of children with disabilities in Nigeria. The study adopted a survey research design. To ensure the efficient and comprehensive collection of data for the study on assistive technology and the inclusion of children with disabilities in Nigeria, the use of digital online interviews and questionnaires was adopted. Thematic analysis and one-sample t-statistics was used to analyze the set of data that was collected from the study sample. The results demonstrate how important assistive technology is in enabling inclusive educational opportunities for children with disabilities by giving them the resources they require to participate in schooling and actively engage in the process of learning. Additionally, it was discovered that learning challenges in math, writing, and reading are addressed by assistive technology. It was finally discovered that children with impairments who use assistive technology (AT) find it much easier to learn independently. The study concludes that children with disabilities will benefit from assistive technology in a variety of ways, including enhanced communication, increased independence, and easier access to educational resources. It is therefore the recommendation of this paper that the government, in collaboration with international organizations and NGOs, should establish dedicated funds for purchasing AT devices and maintaining existing ones and educators need comprehensive training on the use of AT to support students with disabilities effectively. Teacher training programs should include modules on AT, covering both theoretical knowledge and practical applications.
Keywords:
Assistive Technology, Disability, Children, Inclusion.
