Topics
Our Mission
Work towards ensuring that all persons with disabilities of all ages have the opportunity to access and use the technological devices that best guarantee their right to participate and be included in all areas of life.
Technological solutions
What it is about
These are hardware and software products, developed for everyone (e.g. smartphones, tablets, PCs + software) or for specific user groups (e.g. aids, special software and apps, etc.) and accessible services delivered via the internet.
Goal and customisation
Technologies become ‘a solution’ if they enable us to do what would otherwise be impossible, and they become effective if they are ‘tailor-made’, i.e. accessible, always ready to use, and if we know how to use them. To achieve this, we need specialist services with competent people who are able to work with the individual to assess the best solutions, advise on how to obtain them, and train the individual and their network in how to use them in the relevant context. Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
Assistive technology
four things to know
n°1
Assistive
Technologies
are enabling vehicles
Assistive technology maintains or augments people's independence and self-determination. It has the power to unlock human capacity, to empower people, to allow them to choose and have control over their lives, to increase self-esteem and dignity, to maintain or increase well-being and quality of life.
n°2
Assistive
Technologies
are important
for everyone
The use of assistive technology is not limited to a small group of people with disabilities but also to many others, including the elderly, those with congenital or acquired diseases or mental conditions; those with temporary limitations in functioning due to trauma may also benefit from the use of aids. In essence, no one can do without aids at some point in their lives.
n°3
Assistive
Technologies
change lifes
The adoption of assistive technologies impacts the person's entire relationship network and the new opportunities that become available. Once adopted, new wishes and needs will emerge because the perception of life and what is possible and desirable has changed.
This effect of assistive technologies is important for individual users, their families, their communities, and societies as a whole. All stakeholders should be supportive in facing new challenges and seizing new opportunities. This could involve developing a strategy or plan that aims to achieve goals in rehabilitation, personal development, and participation in different areas of life, such as education, work, leisure, social media, and more.
In the development of these plans, the person should be at the center, as much as possible leading the process, with the support of assistive technology experts.
n°4
Assistive
Technologies
are constantly being updated
Although some aids are relatively unaffected by technological progress, others have been overtaken by innovation or even replaced by new paradigms in human-machine and human-environment interaction. Being a field of technology, assistive technology also benefits, adapts and sometimes drives innovation.
The eye gaze technology, brain-computer interaction, voice input techniques, and text messaging have all been influenced by research involving people with disabilities who wish to find new ways to overcome disabling barriers. This is an ongoing process.
Download our free resources
Insights into the issues related to assistive technologies and autonomy
You will be able to download our guides from our learning platform FormAT.
You will only need to register to access the downloads.
