The implementation of assistive technology (at) for students with learning disabilities vs.universal design for learning

This current empirical study aims to explore various aspects regarding the significance of implementing assistive technology in the learning environment. The study also aims to highlight the primary components of inclusion achieved through the use of AT. Further, the study seeks to identify the types of assistive technology and the advantages of adopting AT in a modern learning environment. Additionally, the study aims to specify areas where assistive technologies can be helpful. Finally, the study explains how to implement AT in learning environment and elaborates the relationship between AT and the universal design for learning as well as the principles of universal design.The study concluded that due to the potential contribution of the assistive technology, ranging from low-tech to high-tech, can empower students with learning disabilities, Furthermore, the current study concluded that assistive technology, through the implementation of a broad scope of technologies, can create a great deal of opportunities for all students with learning disabilities and enhances their academic performance in academic settings. It also contributes to providing a model for self-actuated learning among students with learning disabilities through raising their level of self-determination. It was also found by the current study that there are various assistive technologies available nowadays and among these technologies, the most effective ones are those which are created and constructed with a universal design. Actually, assistive technology could be undergone a universal design process that aims to design a general AT products with certain structures that allow it to be used by everyone (not individually). It was found that the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) emphasizes the precise aims of learning environments which are supporting the process of learning and fostering the changes in knowledge and skills. Based on that, the UDL framework aims to ensure that the pedagogy’s components, including the processes that are embedded in classrooms and curricula, the techniques, methods, and scaffolds, are all accessible. Furthermore, there are principles of universal design that are necessary for communicating the concept of universal design and all of its various aspects. These principles also encapsulate the existing knowledge base. Finally, it is significant that the assistive technology and the universal design should be interacted and integrated in order to achieve optimal and practical results.