As Tecnologias assistivas e a acessibilidade na Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná: possíveis repercussões no processo de inclusão

Abstract

This research approaches the use of assistive technologies (ATs) in Unioeste and their possible repercussions in the inclusion process. It aims to analyze the knowledge about the use of assistive technologies by the academic community made up by professors, managers of the Special Education Program (SEP) and students with disabilities, enrolled in classroom courses of this institution, in the period from 2015 to 2019. This is a qualitative research, in which the methodology consists of bibliographic, documentary and field research. In the field research, we used the applications of questionnaires with professors and academics and interview made with managers of (SEP). For the calculation and analysis of qualitative data from the questionnaires and interviews, we used the content analysis technique, in which the analysis elements are written oral, gestural or silent messages. From specific questions, we sought to know which is the understanding and perception of the participants about the use of assistive technologies and the inclusion in the higher education in Unioeste. The obtained results were as follows: of the 11 professors, 7 stated that the assistive technologies are indispensable in the inclusion process and 4 stated that they help; of the 4 managers, 3 stated that the assistive technologies are indispensable to accomplish the inclusion and 1 (one) stated that they help; of the 5 academics, 4 stated that the assistive technologies are indispensable in the inclusion process and 1 (one) stated that the ATs help. All those who stated that the assistive technologies help, associated them with other conditions, such as methodologies, strategies, besides the own conditions and cognitive capacity of the academic that uses the AT. From the presented results, it can be concluded that the use of ATs is an important factor in the inclusion process of the person with disability in this higher education institution of Paraná.