9 Benefits of Assistive Technology for Students with Disabilities

Text-to-Speech (TTS) Tools

TTS tools are designed to assist students with reading-related disabilities such as low vision, blindness, dyslexia, and phonological processing disorders. Reading is a fundamental skill at the post-secondary level, and TTS helps mitigate barriers by aiding in the following steps of reading:

1. Seeing: Identifying the presence of text on a page.
2. Decoding: Recognizing characters and syllables.
3. Pronunciation: Articulating syllables either silently or aloud.
4. Comprehension: Processing and understanding the information.

For example, a student with farsightedness may struggle with seeing text clearly, while a student with dyslexia may have difficulties decoding words. TTS software assists with these challenges by performing the first three steps, allowing students to focus on comprehension.

Speech Recognition Software

Speech recognition software supports students in the writing process, encompassing both the physical act of writing and the cognitive aspects such as planning, memory, and creativity. This technology is particularly beneficial for students with difficulties in working memory and language skills, as it allows them to articulate their thoughts verbally, which are then converted into written text.

Faculty’s Role in Implementing Assistive Technology

Faculty members play a crucial role in ensuring that assistive technology is effectively integrated into the educational experience. This includes:

• Ensuring that materials such as handouts, documents, and tests are accessible and compatible with text-to-speech software.
• Allowing students using assistive technology extra time to accommodate potential technical issues and reduce stress.

By creating an inclusive learning environment, faculty can significantly enhance the educational experience for students with disabilities, helping them to achieve their full potential.