Use of Assistive Technology Resources for Low Vision Students

Abstract

Background: Access of low vision students to school should also be secured through the use of assistive technology resources. Assistive resources are any devices used to enhance visual functioning. Objective: The aim of this study was to check and analyze the use of assistive technology by low vision students. Material and Methods: A descriptive study was conducted and interviews were applied. The sample comprised19 low vision students. Results: Of the low vision students 52.6% declared to use far optical resources. Information Technology was the better-accepted resource in use as 73.7% declared to work with software's like DosVox, Virtual Vision, Jaws and Windows Magnifier. Conclusion: It is preoccupant to see that those low vision students are using Information Technology only at the specialized institution while computer labs are available in regular schools and could be used for the introduction to the use of this important resource. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2013.