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Ausilioteca (Centre for Technical Aids) |
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Ausilioteca (Centre for Technical Aids) |
10-Feb-1996
The AUSILIOTECA is a public service providing consulting activities
regarding technical aids for disabled persons. The centre's aim is to ensure autonomy and
independence for persons with physical disabilities. Particular relevance is given to the
areas communication and environmental control, as well as game control for children.
Great attention is devoted to the implementation of advanced technologies. The term "Ausilioteca"
refers to the centre's primary scope: to offer disabled persons and operators in the field
of disability a place to see and to test aids. In Ausilioteca there is time and space to
thoroughly study the problems related to disability and to check both technical and
non-technical solutions in order to come to personalised prescriptions.
The operative team of the Ausilioteca is made up by experts in
health care, educational psychology, electronics and informatics. This multidisciplinary
character garantees a global approach to the problems of disability. Its
effectiveness is linked to the possibility to merge both technological and health
solutions in the framework of an overall educational project. Interventions are
thus not only evaluated in terms of their conformity to the user's functional
requirements, but also in terms of the feasibility of their application in everyday life.
The users of the Ausilioteca are disabled persons, their
relatives and acquaintances, operators in the rehabilitation sector, school operators,
etc. The Ausilioteca is accessible through appointments and its services are free of
charge.
Consultancy
The consultation meetings with disabled persons are carried out on the basis of a
multidisciplinary approach. They aim to respond at the user's problems, involving directly
all figures (professional and extra-professional) surrounding him. The consulting phase
might include a training in the usage of a particular aid or software, to be held on the
location where it is going to be used.
Special consultation meetings are held for operators working in the field of disability
and education. During these meetings information and advice is given on technical aids and
working approaches to resolve particular situations related to disability.
(School) operators working with disabled children and special teachers can come to
Ausilioteca for consultancy regarding educational and special software. They can benefit
from Ausilioteca's large collection of software products produced in Italy and abroad. An
Ausilioteca BBS tries to promote the exchange of free software and didactic units of
commonly used pro-grammes.
Information
References are supplied about services, aids, producers and selling-points. This activity
is carried out using specialised databases like HANDYNET, CONET, SIVA, etc.., and by
maintaining a network of contacts with aids developing and pro-ducing companies.
Permanent Showroom
The permanent showroom displays hardware and software products, produced in Italy and
abroad. It enables professionals and disabled persons to test the aids during the
consulting phase. The permanent showroom is a point of reference on national level, and
many companies, Italian and foreign, use Ausilioteca to test and exhibit their newest
products.
The core of the collection is described in a Hardware and a Software
catalogue; practical tools for professionals and aids users and both compiled by
Ausilioteca staff-members.
Development and Testing
The acquired aids and software products are carefully tested and checked in their
conformity to the needs of the user concerned. Moreover, they can be adjusted and
personalised and, if necessary, new aids are developed.
Research
Research is done in all the sectors in which the Ausilioteca operates: neurophysiatrics,
educational psychology, technology (electronics and informatics). It is carried out in
close collaboration with specialised centres and companies world-wide.
Documentation
This part of the activities includes the collecting of reference materials, such as books,
magazines, publications, abstracts and manuals from both Italian and foreign origin.
Ausilioteca
Via Sant' Isaia 90 - 40123 Bologna
Tel: +39-0516597711 - Fax: +39-0516597737
Web: http://www.ausilioteca.org
E-Mail: info@ausilioteca.org
