Tecnologia assistiva digital: o uso de softwares livres por estudantes com deficiência visual em um centro pedagógico especializado

Abstract

In the field of Digital Information and Communication Technologies (DICT), many advances have been achieved. One example is the creation of free software that can be used as Assistive Technology (AT) by people with disabilities. Within the AT classification, we can find Digital Assistive Technology (TAD), which can be defined as products related to digital or electronic media, computing, telecommunications, and multimedia. Thus, the general objective of this study is to analyze the potential use of TAD software in a Specialized Educational Assistance Center (AEE) for people with visual impairment (CAEEDV) in the city of Salvador, Bahia. As a methodology, a case study was carried out, in which data collection instruments were established, the observation of the functioning of the AT software, as well as the use of the software by the students. Interviews were also conducted with a teacher, two students who participated in the AEE at the Specialized Service Center and their guardians about their impressions about the functionality and potential of these programs. Furthermore, an observation protocol was constructed, used before and after the introduction of the software in the routine of the students' care. To analyze the data of this study, data analysis and the content analysis technique were used, and with regard to the content raised by the research, data triangulation was used. The study culminated in the categorization and analysis of the data obtained in the interviews, identifying nine main categories and their respective subcategories. Pre-tests and post-tests were also carried out based on the observation protocol as a structuring methodological step. The results indicated that the use of free Assistive Technology (AT) software enhanced and guaranteed accessibility to the proposed activities. The software enables the reading and location of information on the computer screen, while under the pedagogical guidance of the teacher, it also guided the development of skills in the area of Information and Communication Technologies. Based on the information collected and analyzed through observations and document analysis, a list of strategies was drawn up aimed at promoting the use of AT software in educational environments. The analysis of this context concluded that the teacher and his/her way of mediating is essential for the teaching and learning processes to occur in a meaningful way and for the student to find fertile ground for development. The student as a subject who teaches, learns and resignifies knowledge is also essential in this place of construction, just as those responsible for them currently participate in the construction of these students as subjects, also helping them. Another important fact is that although they do not yet use the software in regular school, the students realize that having learned to use the software, as well as having developed skills from using the computer, will help them in the short and long term.