https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4880-2654
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Abstract
Purpose
Despite the recognized benefits, access to assistive technology (AT) remains limited. Identifying the current usage patterns and unmet needs of AT users could help address the challenges of students with disabilities. Thus, this study aimed to investigate AT use and its associated factors.
Methods
An institution-based cross-sectional mixed study was conducted on higher education students with disabilities in Ethiopia. An interviewer-administered questionnaire and an in-depth interview technique were used to collect data. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression models were used to analyse the quantitative data, while inductive thematic analysis was undertaken for the qualitative data.
Results
A total of 233 (74.68%) with (95% CI: 70%–80%) students with disabilities used at least one form of AT. Four themes emerged which include experiences of AT use and disability, benefits and challenges of using AT, perception of the community towards AT, and responsibility for the provision of AT. Students with vision problems or those with severe disability types were most likely to be AT users.
Conclusion and recommendations
A significant proportion of students with disabilities had unmet needs for AT. Capacity at universities or rehabilitation centres would enhance access, usage of AT, and the unmet needs of students with disabilities.
IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION
Will help to solve the barriers to accessing assistive technology and associated factors in the access and provision of assistive technology.
Will help policymakers and stakeholders to design evidence-based rehabilitation strategies in the provision of assistive technology to persons with disabilities.
Provide insight into the role of assistive technology in an educational platform to engage people with disabilities in education, improve their quality of life and lead them to become part of a productive society.
Acknowledgements
First, the authors would like to acknowledge MasterCard Foundation for funding this study. We would also like to express our heartfelt appreciation to University of Gondar, Ethiopia, and Queen’s University, Canada, and also, all data collectors and study participants for their courtesy and cooperation throughout the data collection process.
Ethical approval
This study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. Ethical approval was obtained by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of the University of Gondar and the General Research Ethics Board of Queen’s University in Kingston, Canada.
Consent form
Informed consent was obtained from the study participants after the purpose and objective of the study were explained. All interviews were conducted in private settings. Participants were informed that their participation was voluntary and the information obtained from them will be kept confidential with no individual identifiers linking to their personal information.
Authors’ contributions
TMY, STM, BTA, BM, ZA and TCD involved in the initial idea’s conceptualization as well as proposal writing and in every level of the project’s implementation. TMY, STM, BTA, BM, ZA, AKK and TCD were also responsible for data analysis, writing the first draft and critically revising the manuscript. In addition, the final version of the manuscript also approved by all of the authors.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Data availability statement
The authors confirm that the data supporting the findings of this study are available within the article. Reasonable request for additional information on the dataset are available from the principal investigator and corresponding author.