McNicholl, Aoife and Casey, Hannah and Desmond, Deirdre and Gallagher, Pamela
(2019)
The impact of assistive technology use for students with disabilities in higher education: a systematic review.
Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology.
ISSN 1748-3107
Abstract
Purpose: This systematic review examines the impact of assistive technology (AT) on educational and
psychosocial outcomes for students with disabilities (SWDs) in higher education.
Materials and methods: Qualitative, quantitative and mixed method studies were identified through systematic
searches of five databases: PsycINFO, PubMed, CINAHL, ERIC and Web of Science (Social Science
Citation Index). The search was conducted in January 2018. Thematic synthesis was carried out to collate
findings across papers and the methodological quality of included papers was assessed using a Mixed
Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT).
Results: Twenty-six papers were included for analysis. Four analytic themes were identified; “AT as an
enabler of academic engagement”; “barriers to effective AT use can hinder academic engagement”; “the
transformative possibilities of AT from a psychological perspective”; and “AT as an enabler of
participation”.
Conclusions: This systematic review identifies that AT can promote educational, psychological and social
benefits for SWD. However, AT users and AT officers must be aware of certain factors, such as inadequate
AT training, inadequacies of devices, availability of external support and the challenge of negotiating multiple
information sources, can hinder effective AT use and thus restrict engagement in the higher education
environment. Future AT practices should focus on harnessing the potential of mainstream devices as
AT for all students, thus facilitating inclusion and reducing stigma.
IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION
Students with disabilities face academic, psychological and social challenges within the higher education
environment.
Assistive technology (AT) use can enable academic engagement and social participation and be transformative
from a psychological perspective.
Disability support staff in higher education should ensure that the AT needs of students with disabilities
are met in order to enhance the educational experience.
Harnessing the potential of mainstream devices as AT for all students will facilitate inclusion and
reduce stigma.
| Item Type: |
Article
|
| Additional Information: |
Cite as: Aoife McNicholl, Hannah Casey, Deirdre Desmond & Pamela Gallagher (2019) The impact of assistive technology use for students with disabilities in higher education: a systematic review, Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, DOI: 10.1080/17483107.2019.1642395 |
| Keywords: |
Assistive technology;
education; psychosocial;
students; disability; |
| Academic Unit: |
Faculty of Science and Engineering > Psychology |
| Item ID: |
13596 |
| Identification Number: |
https://doi.org/10.1080/17483107.2019.1642395 |
| Depositing User: |
Dr. Deirdre Desmond
|
| Date Deposited: |
20 Nov 2020 15:38 |
| Journal or Publication Title: |
Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology |
| Publisher: |
Taylor & Francis |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| URI: |
|
| Use Licence: |
This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available
here |
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