Ensino superior, tecnologia assistiva e pessoas com deficiência visual: articulações possíveis

Abstract

Visual impairment affects millions of people around the world, and among Brazilians, it is the most common disability. There is a growing number of these people in regular teaching spaces, and consequently, in Higher Education. Considering the social distancing scenario caused by the SARS COV-2 coronavirus pandemic, which caused the Covid-19 disease in 2020, it is well-known that classes at colleges have been provided to everyone by some other means rather than face-to-face environments, including people with disabilities. Therefore, it becomes clear that no student, whatsoever, should be excluded from Emergency Remote Teaching (ERT). This research aims to verify the use and effectiveness of Assistive Technology (AT), relating to the barriers encountered by students with visual impairments in communication and information in the ERT in undergraduate courses at a Higher Education Institution (HEI). For the development of this study, a qualitative approach was used, through a Case Study. The instruments of data collection used were semi-structured interviews, observation and field notes. The research participants were: visually impaired students, professors, professionals and scholarship students who were involved in the training process of these visually-impaired students. Data analysis was performed using the content analysis method. The results of this study shed light on the fact that most participants seek continuing education and recognize AT as essential for towards reaching information and communication for these students. They recognize that both the exchange of experience and the support developed on a daily basis make it possible to find the functionality which is aimed at. In this relationship between them, actions and strategies contribute to the teaching and learning process of each student. It was found that, notwithstanding the fact that HEIs provides AT, no training is offered for the use and appropriation of the knowledge needed to work with AT and that this is simply considered as a facilitating tool and not with, its broader sense, of an action or strategy for the inclusion of the student. Based on the outcomes that have been found out, the researcher proposes the development of an online space (site) in internet identified by a domain name, consisting of one or more hypertext pages, which may contain text and multimedia information, which makes available inclusive practices in higher education in the area of visual impairment. It is hoped that this space will establish a reciprocal relationship between HEIs in Brazil and the world in order to strengthen a support network, formation of “chat” groups and availability of knowledge about AT for those with visual impairment. It is intended to form an interconnection of ideas and experiences for higher educational inclusion of students with visual impairments. It is noticed that even with the equalization of opportunities that Assistive Technology provides, there is still a lot to be done to ensure the permanence and quality teaching of such students in Higher Education.