Availability of Assistive Technology to Students with Disabilities

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Based on information available on the websites, some higher education institutions offer the possibility of borrowing certain assistive technologies.

Of approximately 69,000 students at the University of Zagreb, official data indicate that 435 are students with disabilities. The University of Zagreb has provided assistive technology to support students with visual impairments and specific learning disabilities, including Braille notetakers, Braille printers, electronic magnifiers, pocket handheld scanners, talking calculators, screen readers, speech units, and laptops. According to students’ expressed needs, these devices have been made available for use at the University of Zagreb Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, the Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation Sciences, and the Faculty of Croatian Studies.

The Office for Students with Disabilities within the University Counselling Centre at the University of Rijeka offers the use of a handheld scanner, a desktop or handheld electronic magnifier, a Braille notetaker, and a small portable computer with a built-in speech unit and screen reader.

For students with disabilities, the University of Zadar provides assistive equipment acquired through the Student Counselling Centre’s participation in two international TEMPUS projects. The following assistive technology is available: a speech unit, a pocket handheld scanner for entering small amounts of text, an electronic handheld magnifier, a Braille notetaker, a projector, a digital camera, a binding machine, and voice recorders.

The Office for Students with Disabilities at Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek offers the following assistive technology: computers, electronic magnifiers/cameras, a Braille notetaker, a speech unit, a screen reader, ABBYY FineReader 10.0 Professional Edition, an electronic handheld magnifier, a handheld text scanner, a reading pen, voice recorders, and specialised calculators.

Students who did not use assistive technology during their previous schooling but notice during their studies that they need an aid can seek information from the coordinator for students with disabilities at their higher education institution or contact the Office for Students with Disabilities at the university or higher education institution.

For information, advice, recommendations, and assessment for appropriate assistive technology, students can contact the Laboratory for Assistive Technology and the Laboratory for Augmentative and Alternative Communication at the University of Zagreb, Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation Sciences.

E-Glas d.o.o., for intelligent computer systems and assistive technology, a leading Croatian company in the field of assistive technology, in addition to distributing assistive technology and innovating new technologies, also provides advice on the application of assistive technology.