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EDU030102: Assistive Technology and Identity: Students with Disabilities in Higher Education

Overview

The aim of the study was to explore the role of assistive technology (AT) in the identity of students with disabilities in higher education and if/how this changes over time. Interviews were conducted with students twice over the academic year. Results from initial interviews found that AT influenced student and disability identities, sense of belonging, presentations of self, and how they were perceived by others. Follow-up interviews indicated that use and perceptions around AT changed, for some participants, during the pandemic and while engaging in remote learning, with implications for sense of self.

Learning Objectives

  1. Identify three ways in which assistive technology can positively influence the identity of students with disabilities in higher education.
  2. Identify three ways in which assistive technology can negatively influence the identity of students with disabilities in higher education.
  3. Describe three changes in perceptions/use of assistive technology during the pandemic and its impact on sense of self.

Primary & Secondary Strand

Education and Learning: Early Intervention – 12

Target Audience

  • AT Specialists
  • Consumers/Individuals with Disabilities
  • Disability Services
  • Faculty/Instructors - Higher Education
  • Government/Non-Profit Agencies

Experience Level

Intermediate

Primary Life Cycle Addressed

Higher Education

Content Area

Professional Area

Course Schedule

This course was included in the ATIA 2021: AT Connected virtual event education program.

Continuing Education Credits

For Satisfactory Completion and Continuing Education information, please visit: ATIA Online Education CEUs

This course is offered for the following CE Provider Credits:
ACVREP; AOTA; CRC; IACET
For: 0.10 CEU Units or 1.0 CEU Hours.

End date of current CRC CEUs offering: March 6, 2025
Please refer to the CRC AT in Education & Higher Education Series (2024-2025) page for further information on how to submit your CRC CEUs for this course to CRCC.

Speaker/s:

Aoife McNicholl

Dublin City University, PhD Student

Biography

Aoife McNicholl graduated from the BSc. in Psychology programme in Dublin City University (DCU) with a first class honours degree and received the DCU Chancellor’s Medal Award for her academic and social engagement. She is now a final year PhD student in DCU and is currently funded by the Irish Research Council Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship. Her PhD research focuses on the impact of assistive technology (AT) use for students with disabilities in higher education.

Relevant Financial Relationship: Yes
Irish Research Council Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Recipient. This includes receipt of a stipend, contribution to fees and contribution to research expenses over the duration of the Scholarship (2 years).

Relevant Non-Financial Relationship: No