E-Learning Opening New Opportunities For Disabled Individuals

People with disabilities are often having difficulty inable to learn more in this learning method without
fitting in the normal society. Sad to say many of theseworrying about transportation and traveling. Disfigured
"special" people are usually deprived of educationindividuals will not fear classmates making fun or
because of their condition. Disabilities range fromridiculing them since there is no physical interaction
physical to psychological conditions. Disabled peoplebetween them and other learners. A special virtual
who have these conditions find it quite difficult to find aclassroom can also be organized which will allow
school or learning facility that will provide them thedisabled learners to meet other handicapped learners.
education they need. With the dawn of the internet aIn this way online learners with disabilities will be
new education system might be the solution tomotivated to study because they will be able to fit in
providing these special individuals the edification theywith other students who have the same condition they
need.have.
E-learning is technology-enhanced learning that hasRecommendations where also suggested to further
advantages that are not present in traditional schooling.enhance the teaching system. Over one fifth of the
These advantages make E-learning for students whorespondents require voice or speech recognition
have disabilities possible. In a survey conducted by thesoftware to communicate with the computers.
Electronic Training Village a European Centre for theAnother modification or improvement that should be
Development of Vocational Training, computer basedconsidered is to come up with application software for
learning could improve teaching methodologies formute students. 28% of the responses asked for other
people with disabilities. The survey showed positivetechnology to assist physical manipulation of
and optimistic results; however, according to studies,information. Lastly three percent of the surveyed are
the new teaching system still needs improvements toseeking ways of improving access for those with
tend to the needs of the disabled individuals.learning difficulties especially with those cases of
320 respondents across Europe gave their insightsdyslexia. The computer based learning needs to
regarding the virtual classroom, the responsesprovide necessary adjustments and modifications to
summarizes that this internet based learning showedattend to those who are hearing and visually impaired
potential benefits and opportunities. Over 90 percent ofwhich is two thirds of the disabled community.
the survey is from European countries; half came fromSadly there are many handicapped individuals who are
the public sector and estimated 17 percent had directunable to study because of their condition. This modern
contact with disabled people. 50 percent of the resultlearning system is able to provide an equal opportunity
of the survey states that this new teaching method willfor them to study. Although E-learning still needs a lot
open opportunities for disabled individuals to learn.of improvement to be able to cater to all disabled
Merely 1.5% considered computer based learninglearners, it has already shown that there is a learning
inappropriate for disabled persons.method for everyone who has the desire to study and
Persons who have difficulty in physical mobility will belearn.