ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY USE AMONG AMERICAN INDIAN/ALASKAN NATIVES WITH MILD DISABILITIES

Abstract

ABSTRACT This descriptive study explores the reasons why American Indian/Alaskan Native (AI/AN) students with mild disabilities are likely to have a difficult transition into adulthood and why assistive technology (AT) is not playing as large of a role in helping these students in their transition from secondary to postsecondary education as one would it expect it to. An online survey was developed to collect data regarding AI/AN students with disabilities perceived use and experiences of AT at two points in time: (a) while in secondary school and (b) in their current postsecondary college or university. Descriptive statistics were calculated for the data collected and a comparison was made of the students' high school and postsecondary AT experiences and use. Potential reasons for the negligible use of AT at the secondary and postsecondary levels are discussed.