Some students with disabilities rely on screens at school. What happens if they're banned?

As the debate over excessive screen time in schools continues to gain momentum, a growing concern is emerging among students with disabilities who rely on assistive technology to access education. For many, specialized devices and software are crucial tools that enable them to learn and communicate, but they fear that efforts to reduce screen time could inadvertently leave them behind. Assistive technologies, such as text-to-speech software, speech-generating devices, and digital note-taking tools, are designed to level the playing field for students with disabilities, allowing them to participate fully in the classroom. With the push to get screens out of schools, these students worry that their lifeline to education will be sacrificed in the name of reducing screen time.

Some students with disabilities rely on assistive technology to learn, and they worry it could be swept up in the movement to get screens out of schools.