THE USE OF FREE AND OPEN-SOURCE SOFTWARE AND APPLICATIONS AS ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGIES: DEMOCRATIZING ACCESS TO SUPPORT RESOURCES

Abstract

Assistive Technologies (AT) play a fundamental role in promoting autonomy, education, and social inclusion for people with disabilities. However, the high cost of proprietary commercial software often imposes severe barriers to access. This article analyzes the role of free and open-source software and applications as essential tools to democratize support, ensuring that the right to accessibility is universal. Methodologically, the research is grounded in a bibliographical and conceptual review of the impact of the open-source movement on digital and pedagogical inclusion. The results demonstrate that these solutions eliminate financial barriers, enable community-driven customization of resources, optimize investments in public institutions, and ensure technological sovereignty. It is concluded that open assistive technologies consolidate themselves as indispensable ethical and political pillars for building an equitable society, transforming technological innovation into a common good aimed at human emancipation.