Assistive Devices Applicable for Inclusive Design in Higher Educational Institutes in India: A Systematic Review

Abstract

According to WHO, 15% of the world population has a disability. Achieving universal education for everyone and creating inclusive infrastructure is a part of the Sustainable Development Goal for 2030. Considering the feasibility of implementing the design and technological interventions for developing inclusive infrastructural facilities in higher educational institutes (HEIs), the current review focuses on HEIs in India. In developed countries, relevant research work is in full swing, and thus, design and technological intervention are being implemented in their HEIs. In developing countries, research has been rarely reported in this context. Moreover, data on assistive devices and human factor issues for making the HEIs universally accessible are seldom available. Hence, the present research aims to study existing assistive devices that HEIs could adopt for inclusive design for making Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) an integral part of the system. The literature search was conducted using Scopus and Web of Science databases to shortlist papers using suitable keywords and combinations while following the PRISMA framework. The collected literature was segregated under types of disabilities, difficulties faced by PwDs in HEIs, assistive devices for various limitations, application of assistive devices in the domain of services associated with education in HEIs. Further, primary research on the status of inclusive design should be taken forward, as there is a gap in research on the state of the art of inclusivity in HEI in India. Reported research would serve as the database on assistive devices for researchers working in the field of inclusivity, with particular emphasis on HEIs.