STOA project on Assistive Technologies for the European Parliament has started

Assistive technologies can support the inclusion of people with disabilities in society, education and jobs.

The project focuses on future trends in assistive technologies (ATs) and their impact on disabled people, specifically with respect to their learning and working environments and overall their inclusion into society. Current and emerging trends and prospects of ATs and regulatory frameworks pertinent to ATs will be analyzed using foresight methodologies. The results will form the basis for interviews and an online-survey linking ATs to the needs, perceptions and expected opportunities of people with disabilities in EU member states. Three types of disabilities will be in focus, namely deaf and hard of hearing; blind and visually impaired, and autism.

Further a "horizon scanning" exercise will be performed involving the contribution of external experts. The different methods together will provide for a solid knowledge basis for the development of four scenarios which will be complemented with a video-sequence. Our work will support members of the European Parliament when making decisions on assistive technologies for people with disabilities and the appropriate legal framework. (03.02.2016)

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