Assistive Technology and Associated Training: A survey of students who have received the Disabled Students' Allowances

Abstract

This paper aims to highlight some important pointers to improving the provision of assistive technologies (AT) and their support, based on an online survey carried out between September 2011 and February 2012 with results from 841 students in receipt of the Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSAs). The students overwhelmingly felt the technologies provided were "useful" or "very useful" and 70% of those who took up training felt that it helped, but there were some noteworthy issues that still need to be addressed. It was found that some problems appeared to be occurring due to a lack of clarity over technology terminology, training requirements and the need to review the provision of portable technologies.