International Websites Relating to Assistive Technology & Universal Design

By Jane Berliss-Vincent (janeber@aol.com)
 

Technology -- particularly electronic devices, which can also be called "high technology" or "telematics" -- is becoming an increasingly important factor in the lives of many disabled individuals around the world. It is true that assistive technology (technology designed specifically to meet the needs of an individual with one or more disabilities) can open doors by providing assistance with communication, transportation, and other activities of daily living. It is also true that mainstream technology can provide a further barrier if a range of user variability, including disability, age, and body type, is not taken into account.

Appropriateness of technology

When exploring options for assistive technology, it is critical to remember that there is seldom if ever a "best" technology for a given situation. Rather, technological appropriateness needs to be judged not only on functionality but also on the user's ability to acquire, maintain, and obtain training on the device, keeping in mind that these issues will become more complex with more complicated devices. It should also be kept in mind that technological devices are usually just one tool among many, and that all options should be considered before automatically assuming that technology can provide the optimal solution. Finally, while people should have as wide a range of options as possible to use technology, they also need the option of not using technology; e.g., an individual with a speech disability who prefers using their own voice to using a communication aid needs to have that preference respected.

Universal design

Universal design, which refers to technology developed so that it is flexible enough to accommodate a range of human abilities without sacrificing aesthetics or cost-effectiveness, is gaining popularity as a design concept. While there is legislation being developed and enforced to ensure universal design in the United States, particularly in the area of telecommunications, innovations are perhaps being fueled more by broad positive consumer reception of universal design benefits. For example, cooking utensils with ridged rubber handles may have initially been inspired by the needs of individuals with arthritis, but the design is gaining wide acceptance for its comfort and grabability even when wet.

The following Web sites cover a representative, but by no means comprehensive, range of international resources on assistive technology and universal design. We welcome submission of information about other relevant sites to be included in future articles; please Email the addresses of these sites to jane@wid.org.

Alliance for Technology Access (ATA), http://www.ataccess.org(In English)
The ATA is the parent organization of 40+ nonprofit centers around the United States that provide information and demonstrations of adaptive computer technology for all ages and disability types. The site provides information about ATA members as well as a public discussion group on adaptive technology issues.

Association for the Advancement of Assistive Technology in Europe (AAATE), http://www.fernuni-hagen.de/FTB/AAATE.html (In English)
AAATE lists its mission as "to stimulate the advancement of assistive technology for the benefit of persons with disabilities including the elderly people." The site includes Email addresses for contacts in several European countries, Brazil, Portugal, Japan, and Israel, and encourages membership from all interested parties. Membership benefits include access to discussion groups; special interest groups on robotics and education are also featured on the Web site.

Australian Rehabilitation & Assistive Technology Association (ARATA), http://members.iinet.net.au/~sharono/arata/arata.html (In English)
"The purpose of ARATA is to serve as a national forum for issues in rehabilitation & assistive technology." The site includes ARATA's newsletters and links to a wide range of Australian and New Zealand resources.

DIFNET, http://www.difnet.org/ (In French and English)
"This site, created by a telematic organization of disabled persons, is dedicated to all initiatives related to social, professional and cultural integration. It is also an operating center against exclusion, with tools of information technology." The site appears to be headquartered in Belgium, and contains links to articles on topics such as telecommuting for disabled persons.

Equal Access to Software and Information (Project EASI), http://www.rit.edu/~easi/ (In English)
"EASI's mission is to serve as a resource to the education community by providing information and guidance in the area of access-to-information technologies by individuals with disabilities. We stay informed about developments and advancements within the adaptive computer technology field and spread that information to colleges, universities, K-12 schools, libraries and into the workplace." EASI's Web site contains copies of many of their publications and Web telecasts as well as information about their on-line courses and videos. Although not discussed on the site, EASI has developed long-standing international connections.

Forschungsinstitut Technologie-Behindertenhilfe (FTB), http://www.fernuni-hagen.de/FTB/ftb/home-e.htm (In English)
"The centre of interest is no longer the industrial application of new technologies, but the actual problems and needs of persons with disabilities and older people. Two basic approaches are followed here: solutions 'for all' [and] special solutions for specific problems of smaller target groups." The site contains brief descriptions of FTB's three centers: information, development, and testing.

Hacavie, http://www.hacavie.com/ (In French)
"Hacavie is a [French] consulting and information center on technical assistance. Its three principal activities are a resource center...consulting in technical assistance...and residential installations."  The site contains articles on technical aides and a variety of other useful information, such as accessibility evaluations of public locations.

INCLUsion of Disabled and Elderly people in telematics (INCLUDE), http://www.stakes.fi/include/ (In English with links to translations in several other languages)
The focus of this site is on universal design. Features include a form for submitting questions and an international directory of consultants.

International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ISAAC), http://www.isaac-online.org/ (In English)
"ISAAC is an organization devoted to advancing the field of Augmentative and Alternative communication (AAC). Formed in 1983, ISAAC now has over 2,800 members in more than 50 countries, including 11 national/regional Chapters in Canada, Denmark, Finland, German speaking countries, Ireland, Israel, The Netherlands-Flanders, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom and the USA. Membership is open to all persons who are interested in AAC." The site includes a public discussion forum on AAC issues.

Servizio Informazioni e Valutazione Ausili (SIVA), http://www.siva.it/ (In Italian and English)
"Information on assistive technology as a support to independent living is SIVA's main concern. In view of that it runs an Information, Counselling, Testing and Research Centre and promote the development of a Network of Independen Living Information Centres covering most of [Italy], and which can access SIVA Information System and collaborate with SIVA to update its Data Base of Assistive Devices." The site includes a wealth of information, including information about other centers around the world and a variety of dowloadable publications.

Swiss Foundation for Rehabilitation Technology, http://www.fst.ch/ (In French and German; partially in Italian and English)
"The FST, whose goal is to put modern technology at the disposal of physically and/or mentally disabled people, was created in 1982 by the Swiss Paraplegic Foundation and the Swiss Spastic Society. To date, more than 8000 people, in Switzerland as well as in Europe, are using an electronic aid provided by the FST." The site primarily discusses communication aids and monitoring devices for individuals with disabilities such as Alzheimer's.

Trace Research and Development Center, http://trace.wisc.edu/ (In English)
"Trace is a research center at the University of Wisconsin - Madison which focuses on making off the shelf technologies and systems like computers, the Internet, and information kiosks more accessible for everyone through the process known as universal, or accessible design." The site contains copies of many of Trace's publications, which include guidelines for universal design of computers, telecommunications, and information kiosks.