Assistive Technology as a public policy for inclusive education: the production of adapted and accessible information in
the Integrated Library System of the Federal University of Espírito Santo
Name: FABIO MASSANTI MEDINA
Publication date: 30/04/2025
Examining board:
Name |
Role |
|---|---|
| LUCILEIDE ANDRADE DE LIMA DO NASCIMENTO | Examinador Interno |
| LUIZ CARLOS DA SILVA | Presidente |
| VANDERLEI BALBINO DA COSTA | Examinador Externo |
Summary: This dissertation investigates the role of assistive technology as a tool for promoting informational accessibility and supporting the retention of students with disabilities in higher education, focusing on the Integrated Library System of the Federal University
of Espírito Santo, with special emphasis on the Laboratory of Informational Accessibility and Inclusion at the Central Library. The objective is to analyze how assistive technology can be applied to ensure access to information and contribute to
public policies for inclusive education in the university environment. The research aims to identify strategies adopted by libraries, assess recent scientific production on the topic, and understand the perceptions of users and involved stakeholders. It is
justified by the need to eliminate existing barriers in educational institutions, despite legal and structural advancements. Informational accessibility is treated as a fundamental right, and university libraries are understood as strategic spaces for the
democratization of knowledge. The methodology used is qualitative, involving bibliographic review, case study, and data collection through interviews and focus groups with students with disabilities, scholarship holders, and librarians working in
the laboratory. The results indicate progress in physical and technological infrastructure, such as the implementation of assistive equipment and the adaptation of materials, but also reveal the need for more effective institutional policies, ongoing
staff training, and greater user participation in service planning. It is expected that the study will contribute to the improvement of inclusive practices in university libraries and the development of more accessible and equitable educational environments.
