INTEGRATING ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY IN INCLUSIVE CLASSROOMS: AN EVALUATIVE STUDY OF DIGITAL SUPPORT TOOLS IN SECONDARY EDUCATION

Assistive technology has become an increasingly important component of inclusive education, offering new possibilities for supporting diverse learners. However, the effectiveness of such technologies depends not only on their availability but also on how they are integrated into everyday teaching practices. This study examines the implementation of digital assistive tools in a secondary school classroom, focusing on their impact on student engagement and participation. Using classroom observations and teacher reflections, the research analyzes how tools such as text-to-speech software, digital note-taking platforms, and interactive learning applications are used to support learners with varied needs. The findings indicate that assistive technology can enhance accessibility and participation when it is meaningfully embedded in instruction, but its impact is limited when used in isolation. The study contributes to inclusive education research by emphasizing the importance of pedagogical integration alongside technological adoption.