Use of assistive technology on discrimination learning and communication for students with severe and multiple disabilities

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24531255
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Special needs education
• Research Institution: Kumamoto University
• Principal Investigator: OSUGI Nariki 熊本大学, 教育学部, 准教授 (10332173)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): UMETANI Tadao 明星大学, 教育学部, 教授 (60009719) ; HIGO Showji 鹿児島大学, 教育学部, 教授 (90251008)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 重度・重複障害教育 / 教育工学 / 教材開発 / Assistive Technology

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In Japanese special schools, assistive technology(AT) has taken various forms and is most widely associated with applications that help individuals who are visually impaired, auditory impaired, and physically impaired. Devices and applications of technology which serve as cognitive and leisure prostheses are considerable less understood. This study examined the use of AT for students with severe and multiple disabilities in Japanese special schools. A participant in this study was a female student who was confined to bed with a phlegma inhaler and respiratory apparatus. This author used a commercial, prototyping, and readily-interfaceable microcontroller board and developed a touch sensor switch which was intended to let the student enjoy leisure activities independently. This switch enhanced motivation by increasing cognitive engagement and control of music selection. ATs as compensatory tools allowing students with severe and multiple challenges are discussed.

Free Research Field

特別支援教育