Transcript Concurrent Session 23 - Presenter 3 - Hemlata Kumar

ICT for Inclusion: Present
and Future
Dr. Hemlata
Director (I/c)
National Centre for Disability Studies,
Indira Gandhi National Open University
Maidan Garhi, New Delhi-110068
(Mob.) 9968312328
E-mail: [email protected]
In this presentation technology refers to
products, devices or equipment whether
acquired commercially, modified or
customized that are used to maintain,
increase or improve functional capabilities
of individuals with disabilities.
Information & Communication
Technologies (ICT)
 ICT
have the potential for making
significant contribution in the lives of
persons with disabilities.
 The
use of ICT in disability sector is
essential in reducing the handicapping
effects of disabilities.
 ICT
offers individuals the ability to
compensate for physical and functional
limitations.
 ICT
enhances the social and economic
integration of person with disabilities.
ICT – UNCRPD
 Article
No. 9 of UNCRPD states that “to
enable persons with disabilities to live
independently and participate fully in all
aspects of life, state parties shall take
appropriate measures to ensure to person
with disabilities access, on an equal basis
with others, to the physical environment,
to
transportation,
to
information
and
communication, including information and
communication technologies and system”.
ICT- UN Standard Rule
 UN
standard rule 4 stated that “State
should
ensure
the
development
and
supply of support services, including
assistive technologies for person with
disabilities, to assist them to increase their
level of independence in their daily living
and to exercise their rights”.
Technology Provides us
o
Quality Education
o
Livelihood
o
Creative Opportunities
Barriers for Use of ICT

Lack of Awareness about ICT

Lack of Legislations

Inaccessibility

Cost

Technological Change

Inability to take technology from Lab to Land
Overcoming The Barriers

Raising Awareness

Adapting Legislations

Developing Standards

Cost effective technologies

Augmentation of human resource
oriented technologies

User friendly and durable aids &
appliances
ICT for Inclusion
 When
we talk about the inclusion of persons
with disabilities in society or inclusion of
children with disabilities in the school system, it
means they are a part of system irrespective
of their strengths and weakness in any area.
The ICT help them to be a part of the system
and facilitate them to use their capacity in full
strength.
 ICT
provide enhancements to the methods of
interaction with the outside world and give
greater
independence
to
persons
with
disabilities by enabling them to perform tasks
that they were formerly unable to accomplish.
 The
use of ICT empowers a person with
disabilities, as it is user friendly, durable
and provide them opportunity without
depending on others. The ICT can be
used at Individual level or Institutional
level.
 For
example the use of computers by
persons with visual impairment with the
help
of
JAWS
software
or
use
of
Alternative Augmentative Communication
(AAC) devices by persons with cerebral
palsy and speech impairments enable
them to study with other children in the
same classroom.
ICT at Different Levels

Individual level

Institutional level
Individual Level

Visual Impairment
Braille, Pictorial communication, Large
Print, voice commands, Descriptors.
Braille shorthand machine.
Distance vision telescopes.
Hand held magnifiers.
Cont…
Talking dictionary
Smart Cane
Plexi Talk
Mobile Phone & Internet

Speech Impairment
Delayed Auditory Feedback (DAF)
AAC
Sanjog
Gupshup
Dr. Speech
Mobile phone & Internet

Hearing Impairment
Advanced Digital Speech Audiometer
Hearing Aid
Wireless FM Assistive Listening System
Mobile phone & Internet

Locomotor Impairment
Battery Powered Joystick Operated
Wheelchair.
Aluminum Crutches.
Ankle Brace for ankle support.
Prosthetic limbs.
Cont…
Child model Tricycle.
Folding sticks and folding walkers.
Adapted Keyboards.

Intellectual Disability
Basic Skill Wooden Puzzles
We can (daily living activities)
Calendar of seasons
Punnarjani
CAI

Cerebral Palsy
Sanyog
Gupshup
Switches
Other AAC Devices
Adapted Keyboards
Adapted Tools

Touch Screen

Adapted Keyboard

Ball Mouse

Specific softwares
Adapted Tools for Inclusion

Examples of some AT to help PWDs in
education includes:
Braille Duplicators and Writers.
Group Hearing Aid for Classrooms.
Alternative & Augmentative
Communication software/devices.
Cont…
Multi-Sensory systems.
Tactile mathematical devices.
Tactile geography devices.
Tactile science devices.
Cont…
Screen readers & magnifiers.
Assessment & evaluation tool
Models
Multimedia Content
Content Development Software
Cont…
Word Bank & Prediction Systems.
Text-to-Speech
Engines
&
Speech
Recognition.
Special Access Switches & Mechanism.
Sign Language & Braille Learning Software
etc.
Institutional Level
 Any
tool or service that is helpful in
advancing learning of more than one
person.
 Enhances
capabilities of exploring ideas,
innovations and communication.
Web Portal
 EDUSAT
 M- Learning
 Web cast
 Online Learning
 On Demand Examination

ICT
Affordable
Applicable
Adaptable
Portable
Contributing
Member of
Society
Motivation to Learn
Concrete Learning
Experience through
ICT
Self Satisfaction
Self Employment
ICT: CYCLE
OF
LEARNING
Reflecting at the
Activity Drill &
Practice
Instant Feedback
Development of Self
Confidence
Skill Development
Easy Retention of
information
Benefits of ICT

Accessibility

Motivation

Wide Participation

Improved Student Writing

Subject made easier to learn
Cont…

Flexibility

Convenience

Effectiveness

Affordability
Cont…

Multi-sensory

Interactivity
Future Needs

Innovation

Adaptation

Localisation
More Emphasis on

Moocs

Gaming

Personalised virtual teacher

Automatical assessment & evaluation

Mobile technology
Suggested Measures to Promote ICT
Among Persons with Disabilities

Information to be provided in dual
communication mode for the benefit of
persons with disabilities.

Assistive devices to be adapted for
improving access to technology.
Cont…

Indigenous production of devices to be
taken up to increase the affordability by
persons with disabilities

The existing curriculum for persons with
disability to be expanded to include
information technology inputs.
Cont…

Open learning system to be encouraged
to offer information technology oriented
courses for persons with disabilities.

Some IT related jobs in public and private
sectors to be earmarked for persons with
disabilities.
Cont…

In order to promote information technology
among persons with disabilities, the
organizations working for them should
also inculcate the IT culture in their
activities.
Conclusion
The use of ICT will open up a whole new
horizon
for
teachers,
persons
with
disability and their families and all the
stakeholders. This is the beginning of a
new era in human resource development
for the disability rehabilitation sector in
India

“The illiterate of the 21st century will
not be those who cannot read and
write, but those who cannot learn,
unlearn and relearn”
(Alvin Toffle)
THANK YOU