How can ICTs support inclusive education?
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) supports the inclusion in education of children with disabilities by enabling them to overcome some of the barriers causing their exclusion. As shown in a study carried out by Humanity & Inclusion, ICT complements some pedagogical and technological resources, such as teacher training and inclusive pedagogy in the classrooms in Benin, Burkina Faso, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Niger, Senegal and Togo.
Humanity & Inclusion’s recommendations
Education systems are currently endeavouring to address the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and prepare themselves for similar situations in the future. Access to ICT can enable all children and young people to continue learning in such situations. Therefore, it is needed to provide appropriate devices and software, tailored to the needs of each learner, based on an individualised education plan.
Children with disabilities, especially girls - already more likely to be excluded from advances in digitalisation - were largely left behind when remote learning solutions were put in place during the pandemic, thus exacerbating existing inequalities. A disability-inclusive and gender-responsive approach to ICT development must be adopted in the education sector to address differences in access to connectivity and digital learning and reduce the digital divide in order to enable all learners to reach their full potential.
