A importância da tecnologia assistiva na inclusão escolar

Abstract

This study addresses the relevance of Assistive Technology (AT) in promoting school inclusion, exploring the most commonly used types currently, their suitability and accessibility to meet the diverse needs of students with disabilities. The study investigates how teachers perceive the use of AT in the teaching-learning process and whether they feel prepared and capable of integrating these resources into their daily pedagogical practices. It also analyzes the main challenges and barriers faced by schools and teachers in the adoption and integration of AT, whether they are technical, financial, training-related, or related to attitudes and beliefs. The general objective of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness and use of assistive technology in promoting the school inclusion of students with disabilities. Specific objectives included identifying the types of AT most used in the school environment, analyzing teachers' perceptions of the use of AT in the teaching-learning process, and exploring the challenges and barriers faced in the adoption and integration of AT in the school context. The methodology involved an exploratory and descriptive qualitative approach. The exploratory aspect involved identifying and mapping the most commonly used assistive technologies (ATs), while the descriptive aspect detailed the challenges, barriers, and perceptions encountered. The results indicated the effectiveness of ATs in promoting school inclusion, highlighting the existence of significant improvements in the performance and inclusion of students with special needs.