Demystifying the Benefits and Challenges of Virtual Learning for Differently Abled Students

 Virtual technology has revolutionized the global universe into a new dimensional structure, as well as the age-old impediments of time and distance have almost vanished. Nowadays, technology plays a significant role in education as a powerful tool for accelerating the modernization of education, particularly for differently-abled students. Technology offers many new ways to reduce accessibility barriers and provide opportunities for differently-abled people to exchange information and knowledge for effective virtual learning. ICT tools and applications are paving the way for differently-abled people to access and participate in educational materials and resources in various formats. For this, there are various kinds of tools available according to the type of disability because disability can be in any form like dyslexia, Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dysgraphia, physical disability, etc. But still, challenges are faced by disabled students during virtual learning. So, the present study proposed to study the benefits and challenges of virtual learning for disabled students. Further, the study also investigates the different tools available for different-abled students. The research is conceptual in nature and uses secondary sources for data collection which include journals, reports, newspapers, websites, books, and thesis. Current research has academic as well as practical implications as it is an addition to existing literature and helps different stakeholders like teachers, differently-abled students, and parents to participate more effectively in the virtual learning environment for disabled students.

Keywords: Disabled students, Differently-abled learners, Online learning, Virtual learning, Virtual learning tools.