Obstacles to Using Assistive Technology for Students with Visual Impairments in Jordan

Njoud  Alananbeh; Esra'a  Asha

doi:10.35516/edu.v50i1.4507

Authors

Njoud Alananbeh King Abdullah II School for Excellence, Ajloun, Jordan https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1375-607X
Esra'a Asha Freelancer, Jordan https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2539-8185

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.35516/edu.v50i1.4507

Keywords:

Students with visual impairment, assistive technology, obstacles to the use of assistive technology

Abstract

Objectives: The study aimed to know the major obstacles that face students with visual impairment when assistive technology is implemented in the Jordanian environment.

Methods: The study sample was chosen randomly from the visually impaired students from Abdullah bin Umm Maktoum School in Jordan, whose number was (50) male and female students. In this study, a quantitative approach was used, where a questionnaire of 21 items was used as the main tool of the study. A validation and reliability check was conducted on the tool. The questionnaire was distributed to the study sample. Subsequently, the Statistical Package for Social Sciences System was used to gather and evaluate the data (SPSS, ver.20).

Results: The results indicated that the obstacle level is medium and that the most important obstacle facing students is time lacking when using assistive devices in the classroom. Other factors play an important role, including parents' poor knowledge of ICT as well as the family's economic situation to purchase such devices.

Conclusion: The study recommended the necessity of communication and coordination between the Ministry of Education regarding training programs offered to families, students, and teachers.

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