Publisher's Synopsis
Today's world is built around technology.It is everywhere.There is no denying that the Internet is an essential part of life for nearly half of the world's population.Modern technology has served a host of purposes: from manufacturing to entertainment, technology plays a pivotal role in the development of civilization.This is why Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have come to play a crucial role in the lives of everyday citizens.In the developed world, ICTs afford unlimited opportunities. In the developing world, ICTs have opened doors to excluded social groups. These doors are opportunities to access culture, information, and education.This newfound access to education has enabled millions of people around the world to access educational opportunities which had been previously inaccessible.These new educational opportunities are also now available to special needs education.Just like some of the poorest people in the world can now access education over the Internet, so too can special needs students.Through the use of ICTs and assistive technologies, disabled individuals can now augment their talents and abilities thanks to the use of modern technology.The implementation of ICTs and assistive technologies in special education represents a considerable paradigm shift in education. This paradigm shift revolves around inclusion. As opposed to the traditional view of special education, ICTs have enabled special needs students to break through the traditional barriers they face.Consequently, the paradigm shift, from exclusion to inclusion, has inevitably provided new opportunities for special needs individuals to become productive members of society. This inclusion is as much a human right as it is an obligation on the part of society.While there are still hurdles that need to be conquered, it is unquestionable that the use of ICTs and assistive technologies in education a trend which will only gain more momentum with time.Nevertheless, there is work still to be done. Policymakers and education officials need to consider the importance of granting more resources toward the implementation of technology in special education given its clear advantages.Furthermore, teachers and educators must also become keenly aware of the advantages that implementing ICTs and assistive technologies offer inside and outside the classroom.Consequently, this book takes a deeper look at all of these issues and provides insight into a topic which tends to be overlooked by the traditional educational paradigm. The main objective of this book is to raise awareness on the need and importance of ICTs in special education so that teachers, educators, policymakers, and the public at large, can gain a fresh perspective on a pressing concern.The main conclusions at the end of this discussion point toward the inclusive nature of ICTs in special education and how traditional barriers to special needs education can be addressed successfully.
