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Author ORCID Identifier

Deepa Sikand Kauts: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8661-465X
Moomin Ahmad Rather: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-0950-3749

Abstract

Integrating assistive and adaptive technologies is vital for fostering inclusivity in special education. However, awareness and perceived impact of these tools among aspiring special educators remain underexplored. This study examined the awareness and perceived impact of assistive and adaptive technologies among 56 students enrolled in a Multiple Disabilities (MD) B.Ed. Special Education program. Validated scales with strong reliability and unidimensionality were employed, with the awareness scale explaining 70.62% of the variance and the perceived impact scale accounting for 53.68%. Descriptive and inferential analyses indicated that awareness levels ranged from basic to moderate (mean = 3.37), with a subset showing high awareness (mean = 4.09–4.73). Perceived impact scores were consistently positive (mean = 4.31), emphasizing the role of these technologies in fostering inclusivity. Gender- and semester-based comparisons revealed no significant differences (p > .05). A moderate positive correlation (r = .473, p < .01) between awareness and perceived impact highlights their interdependence. The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions, such as workshops and field experiences, in teacher education programs to enhance awareness and practical application. Such measures are critical for bridging gaps in teacher preparedness and promoting the effective use of assistive technologies in inclusive classrooms.

First Page

19

Last Page

40

Ethics Approval

Yes

Declaration Statement

Declaration of Interest Statement

Data Availability: Yes,

Funding: The study receives no funding from any sources.

Conflict of Interest Statement: The authors state that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have influenced the work presented in this study.

Ethics Approval: This study follows research ethical principles.

Participant Consent Statement: All the participants consent statement has been obtained.

Yours Sincerely

Dr. Deepa Sikand Kauts, Dean Faculty of Education, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab, India

Email: kdeepasikand@gndu.ac.in

Contact: +91-9915522084

&

Mr. Moomin Ahmad Rather

Research Scholar, Department of Education, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab, India

Email, moominedu.rsh@gndu.ac.in

Contact: +91-91- 9149823812

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