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Identifying challenges and opportunities in computer-based vocational training for low-income communities of people with intellectual disabilities

Published: 11 April 2016 Publication History
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    Vocational training of people with disabilities (PwD) can potentially improve social and economic prospects, but at the same time, it can be significantly challenging due to the need for specialized training and technology. Unfortunately, in developing countries this problem is magnified because, in general, low-income groups have limited access to appropriate content and assistive technologies. In this paper, we present initial findings from a qualitative field study of computer-mediated vocational training for low-income students with intellectual disability (ID) in Brazil's largest urban area. The observations took place during 3 computer-based training sessions, which involved 23 students with ID. Based on data gathered from observations and semi-structured interviews with 2 instructors, we describe and discuss strategies they employ to teach heterogeneous groups of students with ID. We also examine some obstacles that our participants usually face during the classes at the computer lab and present suggestions for future initiatives that could better support instructors and students with ID in the learning process.

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    Cited By

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    • (2023)The Design and Prototyping of an App to Teach Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities to Empower Them Against AbuseACM Transactions on Accessible Computing10.1145/356958516:2(1-31)Online publication date: 13-Jul-2023
    • (2022)Impact of Assistive Technologies to Inclusive Education and Independent Life of Down Syndrome Persons: A Systematic Literature Review and Research AgendaSustainability10.3390/su1408463014:8(4630)Online publication date: 13-Apr-2022
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      cover image ACM Other conferences
      W4A '16: Proceedings of the 13th International Web for All Conference
      April 2016
      223 pages
      ISBN:9781450341387
      DOI:10.1145/2899475
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      • TPG: The Paciello Group
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      Published: 11 April 2016

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      Author Tags

      1. educational technology
      2. intellectual disability
      3. vocational training

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      • Intuit
      • Canvas Network
      • TPG
      • IBM
      W4A'16: International Web for All Conference
      April 11 - 13, 2016
      Montreal, Canada

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      View all
      • (2023)The Design and Prototyping of an App to Teach Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities to Empower Them Against AbuseACM Transactions on Accessible Computing10.1145/356958516:2(1-31)Online publication date: 13-Jul-2023
      • (2022)Impact of Assistive Technologies to Inclusive Education and Independent Life of Down Syndrome Persons: A Systematic Literature Review and Research AgendaSustainability10.3390/su1408463014:8(4630)Online publication date: 13-Apr-2022
      • (2022)Designing Post-Trauma Self-Regulation Apps for People with Intellectual and Developmental DisabilitiesProceedings of the 24th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility10.1145/3517428.3544798(1-14)Online publication date: 23-Oct-2022
      • (2021)Enhancing Internet Search Abilities for People with Intellectual Disabilities in Sri LankaACM Transactions on Accessible Computing10.1145/346020214:2(1-36)Online publication date: Jul-2021
      • (2021)What difference does tech make? Conceptualizations of Disability and Assistive Technology among Kenyan YouthProceedings of the 23rd International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility10.1145/3441852.3471226(1-13)Online publication date: 17-Oct-2021
      • (2021)Designing an App to Help Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities to Recognize AbuseProceedings of the 23rd International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility10.1145/3441852.3471217(1-14)Online publication date: 17-Oct-2021
      • (2021)Exploring A Reporting Tool to Empower Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities to Self-Report AbuseProceedings of the 2021 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems10.1145/3411764.3445150(1-13)Online publication date: 6-May-2021
      • (2020)Disability design and innovation in computing research in low resource settingsProceedings of the 22nd International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility10.1145/3373625.3417301(1-7)Online publication date: 26-Oct-2020

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