Leveraging technology to break barriers in public health for students with intellectual disabilities

Abstract

A key goal of inclusive education is to enhance health literacy skills, empowering students with intellectual disabilities (IDs) to access critical information needed to navigate everyday challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic, for example, highlighted unique barriers to preparedness for people with IDs regarding social behavior and decision-making. This study aimed to examine students’ awareness and understanding of pandemic outbreaks. Using an inquiry-based approach supported by Digital Learning Objects (DLOs), the research assessed students’ knowledge and perceptions of viruses, modes of transmission, and preventive measures. An in-depth visual analysis within a single-subject research design demonstrated that interdisciplinary educational scenarios on infectious diseases can be effective for students with ID, especially when DLOs are integrated with targeted instructional techniques.