HYPERMEDIA FOR THE LEARNING-DISABLED - EXPENSIVE LUXURY OR USEFUL TOOL

This project was designed to assess and evaluate the possible applications of a particular piece of information technology for a young person with severe learning difficulties and severe communication problems. This single subject study was set up within the broader context of information technology for the disabled. The software used was EasySpeaker-a hypermedia speech prosthesis for the vocally and linguistically impaired, the key feature of which is flexibility to adapt to an individual's needs. The results were encouraging, illustrating the value of relating software to an individual's own experience. The potential was clearly demonstrated for software to provide a stimulating sensory environment in which an individual of low cognitive ability can access and learn the structure of a small purpose-built set of material. The findings of this research seriously challenge the common view that IT cannot be utilized by the severely learning disabled.