Indian educators' awareness and attitude towards assistive technology

Objective: This study investigated the awareness and attitude of Indian mainstream secondary school teachers on assistive technologies (AT) and its implementation level in inclusive setting. Methodology: The study followed descriptive survey method within ex-post-facto research design taking 150 teachers including 15 headmasters from 15 secondary schools as samples following stratified random sampling technique. Questionnaires and interviews (according to set interview protocol) were the main research tools used during survey. Collected data were analyzed descriptively and inferentially to reach a conclusion. Findings: Findings revealed that Indian mainstream secondary school teachers’ awareness of AT was very poor yet their attitude towards it was highly positive. Except having a good attitude, everywhere- the teachers’ knowledge, professional support, or infrastructural support- the inadequacy was obvious. Indian schools were running with a poor resource pool of assistive products along with poor implementation. Hence special need students of these schools were not getting the necessary supports from schools as they deserve which has been hampering the overall inclusive atmosphere of the country. Statistical analysis revealed that male teachers showed slightly higher awareness level regarding AT than their female counterparts but in respect of attitude they were found overpowered by the females. Teachers of urban schools also exhibited slightly better awareness and attitude towards AT than the teachers of rural schools. Lack of suitable policies, adequate awareness and financial limitations were evolved as major barriers in the implementation of AT in these schools.