Since the Higher Education Opportunity Act was passed in 2008, more students with intellectual disability have been able to attend inclusive college programs in the United States. One challenge many students face when they arrive on campus is learning how to get around on their own.
This journal article explains how colleges can use Google My Maps as an assistive technology to help students navigate the campus and nearby community. Programs can create customized maps that match each student’s individual needs, such as showing important buildings, safe walking routes, or daily destinations.
The article also discusses how person-centered planning can be built into these maps, so they reflect what matters most to each student. Overall, this resource shows how simple technology can support independence and confidence for students with intellectual disability, and it offers ideas for future practice and research.
The journal article can be accessed here: https://doi.org/10.1177/01626434231210989
Hester, O. R., Cooney, L. E., & McMahon, D. D. (2024). Navigation Support for Students with Intellectual Disability Using Mobile Devices. Journal of Special Education Technology, 39(4), 557-566. https://doi.org/10.1177/01626434231210989