The first fundamental barrier in the developing world to overcoming disabilities is that we are missing the human capacity we rely on in other parts of the world – the support workers, interpreters, sign language teachers and others. Existing low cost technology can help substitute for this. The XO Laptop, mobile phones and others are suitable low power, low cost hardware and far lower cost than classes ($15/month > 12 months = 1 OLPC) and interpreters for those who would struggle to afford either.

What we are lacking is high quality (preferably creative commons or similarly licensed) localized content for both children and adults, such as interactive video sign language courses. Often we lack localized text to speech software. Because parents often can’t afford or can’t find the resources they need to communicate with their children they often find themselves completely excluded, and such frustration can easily foster worse problems.

Using blended learning we can make far more effective use of those limited human resources that we do have, so that classes can be supplemented by more effective self study. Some NGOs are making efforts to provide classes, but they all fall far short of what’s needed.

Here in Afghanistan, a self-instructional sign language application running on the OLPC or other hardware is envisioned that will support parents, children and teachers to learn to communicate with each other. Braille could follow. Our Persian E-Speak has a some work left to go. This will provide the lowest cost most accessible option for people Recognizing psychological disabilities for what they are will likely require cultural changes and shifts that took generations to realize in developed countries.

The hardware is there, the technology exists, with HTML5 we can make platform independent materials that can work on devices from phones to normal desktops to OLPC to PDAs. What we really need is the will, vision and resources to glue it together the content and get it out to those who need it.

Assistive information and communication technologies can allow those with disabilities to learn and grow, indistinguishable from any other child. But we have to ask three questions about them in our context:

1. Which assistive technologies are appropriate for the developing world?
2. How might they be implemented in resource constrained environments?
3. And what would their impact be on the children that use them?

Especially since you could even argue that educational systems are often impaired themselves – lacking budget, expertise, and will power to recognize that assistive technologies exist and should be employed for the betterment of all.

For February’s conversation, the Educational Technology Debate will explore low-cost assistive information and communication technologies, and how they might be utilized to increase the learning outcomes of children in the developing world.

We’ll dive into the issues and concerns with the help of several thought leaders on the subject; Cliff Schmidt, Fernando Botelho, Mike Dawson, and Paul Lamb. Your thoughts and opinions are always welcomed in the comments below. In addition, if you have deep knowledge on the subject, please email us a Guest Post of your thoughts.

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