AVAIIABILITY AND UTILIZATION OF ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY TOOLS BY STUDENTS IN NIGER STATE SCHOOL FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION, MINNA, NIGER STATE

Abstract

This study assessed of the availability and utilization of assistive technology tools by students in Niger state school for special education, Minna, Niger State. The study adopted descriptive research survey design. The study population comprised all the five hundred and ninety-seven (597) students in the Niger State school for special education Minna, Nigeria. The sample consisted of eighty (80) students drawn randomly from the study population. The instrument used to collect data for the study was a questionnaire titled “Questionnaire on the Availability and Utilization of Assistive Technologies” (QAUAT)” while the data collected was analysed using mean and percentage. The findings showed that assistive technologies are not available and are not utilized in special education school, Niger State. The null hypotheses developed for the study were accepted at 0.05 level of significance. The finding revealed that, there was a significant difference on gender and the utilization of assistive technologies; The study recommended among others that, assistive technologies be made available and adequately utilized for teaching and should be made compulsory in all the special schools in Nigeria.