AT Ethics

There are a number of ethical issues related to the use of AT in classrooms, such as digital divide and culture (Dell et al., 2017). To start with, some parents and professionals believe in the existence of an equity gap regarding the use of information technology (IT) and AT in schools. The equity gap, also known as the digital divide, is deemed as "the discrepancy between people who have access to and the resources to use new information and communication tools, and people who do not have the resources and access to the technology" (p. 310). For instance, school districts that have limited funds invest less money on AT and IT, whereas school districts that have large funds heavily invest on AT and IT.

Next, culture is regarded as a group of shared standards that shape how people perceive, interpret, and behave. According to Dell et al. (2017), culture can immensely impinge individuals' view of disability and AT usage. For example, people, who regard disability as a punishment for sins committed in the past, may not seek medical or rehabilitative services and may refrain from utilizing AT. In addition, people from collectivist cultures, who do not value self-reliance, tend to aid family members with disabilities and abstain from AT devices that promote independent functioning.