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ETNA - European Thematic Network on Assistive Information and Communication Technologies
Record number: 527
Last update: September 2022
Type of document: Projects
Last update: September 2022
Type of document: Projects
Funding body: Commissione Europea
Partners: Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi Onlus, Milano, Italia (project leader), Institut Der Deutschen Wirtschaft Koeln E.V., Colonia, Germania, Association for the Advancement of Assistive Technology in Europe, Taastrup, Danimarca, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto Tecnologie Didattiche, Genova, Italia,
Danish Centre for Assistive Technology, Taastrup, Danimarca, Universitaet Linz, Institut Integriert Studieren, Linz, Austria, Ace Centre Advisory Trust, Oxford, Gran Bretagna, Fundación Tecnalia Research "&" Innovation, Donostia / San Sebastian, Spagna, John Gill Technology Ltd, Iver, Gran Bretagna,
Instituto de Mayores y Servicios Sociales, CEAPAT, Madrid, Spagna, Associazione Italiana per l'Assistenza agli Spastici Provincia di Bologna, Bologna, Italia,
Handicaps et Cadre de Vie, Hacavie, Lille, Francia, Technical University Kosice, Access Centre, Kosice, Slovacchia, Disabled Living Foundation, Londra, Gran Bretagna, Vastra Gotalands Lans Landsting, DART Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Goteborg, Svezia, Hogeschool Zuyd, Research Centre Technology in Care , Maastricht, Olanda, Terveyden ja Hyvinvoinnin Laitos (National Institute for Welfare and Health), Helsinki, Finlandia, EASPD - European Association of Service Providers for Persons with Disabilities, Bruxelles, Belgio, Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, Hellenic Institute for Transport, Atene/Thessaloniki, Grecia, Disability Now / Anapiria Tora, Thessaloniki, Grecia, Kehitysvammaliitto Ry (Finnish Association for Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities), Helsinki, Finlandia, The Nottingham Trent University, Interactive Systems Research Group, Nottingham, Gran Bretagna, Evangelische Stiftung Volmarstein, Forschungsinstitut Technologie und Behinderung, Wetter, Germania
Year of publication: 2011
Project start date: 01/01/2011
Project end date: 31/12/2013
Project state: Ended
F.d.G. Team: Renzo Andrich, Polo Tecnologico (Responsabile) Valerio Gower, Polo Tecnologico Sabrina Vincenti, Polo Tecnologico
Abstract:
The Thematic Network ETNA (European Thematic Network on Assistive Information and Communication Technologies) is an international project, funded by the European Commission, within the strategic framework "i2010". In particular, the initiative is part of the Information and Communication Technologies Policy Support Programme (ICT-PSP). One of the main strengths of the initiative is represented by the number and stature of the partners involved, coordinated by the Don Carlo Gnocchi Foundation represented, in the role of project leader, by Eng. Renzo Andrich, responsible at the Technological Pole of the research area "Assistive Technologies". The primary objective is to create a unified access to all the resources available in Europe related to Information Technologies for Disability, promoting the development of an information society for all, summarized in the concept of e-inclusion (digital inclusion) in the strategic document "Digital Agenda Europea 2010" (Concept combining the idea of accessible information technologies, and at the same time the use of them to improve economic performance, employment opportunities, quality of life, social inclusion and cohesion). In this sense, it is a further step in the process of integrating information on disability, which began in 2006 with the creation of the European Assistive Technology Information Network (EASTIN) European Aid Portalto evolve into a search engine (EASTIN 2.0) based on a friendly and multilingual interface, in order to ensure a strong impact, in terms of disseminating information and raising awareness on issues related to participation and inclusion of people with disabilities. The Portal to which the Etna Network is working will thus represent a "virtual space" able to reach the widest possible audience in Europe, responding to the needs of all actors in the sector: people with disabilities and their families, Health professionals, socio-educational professionals, researchers, software developers, service providers, manufacturers, bodies responsible for socio-health and industrial policies. In addition to ensuring access to information about Information Technologies and accessible products, The Portal aims to remedy the lack of availability of freeware (or software programs freely downloadable and usable) and open-source software (for which the programming code is freely downloadable and modifiable), these being often "buried" in the meanders of the Internet together with the software intended for common commercial applications. Instead, the Portal aims to guarantee access to specialised directories, from which it is possible to directly download these types of programmes and other components or tools useful to IT technicians engaged in the field of disability, This creates the conditions for a wider and more effective development of accessible aids and IT solutions. A context in which information and resources are transparent and easily accessible helps to create an audience of informed, demanding and responsible "consumers". This situation, promoted by the Thematic Network, will certainly affect the market of assistive technologies, which will be encouraged to undertake a process of evolution and expansion of the sector, to meet not only greater demand, but also more articulate and aware. At the same time, the context that you want to encourage can contribute significantly to the empowerment of citizens with disabilities, facilitating the free choice of the best solution for their autonomy thanks to the availability of "accessible information about mobility aids, devices and assistive technologies..." Article 4 paragraph h of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Another element in support of the project is the close cooperation with another European thematic network (ATIS4All, stands for "Assistive Technology and Inclusive Solutions for All" or "Assistive Technologies and Inclusive Solutions for All", www.atis4all.eu), with which ETNA is working in parallel. In order to operate synergistically and without overlap, aiming at the same objectives, each network has carved out a specific role: where ETNA has the task of developing the search engine mentioned above, ATIS4All is focusing on interactive applications to create an active and dynamic web community, aimed at the exchange of opinions and experience between different actors, involved at different levels in the use, research or development of technological aids.
The Thematic Network ETNA (European Thematic Network on Assistive Information and Communication Technologies) is an international project, funded by the European Commission, within the strategic framework "i2010". In particular, the initiative is part of the Information and Communication Technologies Policy Support Programme (ICT-PSP). One of the main strengths of the initiative is represented by the number and stature of the partners involved, coordinated by the Don Carlo Gnocchi Foundation represented, in the role of project leader, by Eng. Renzo Andrich, responsible at the Technological Pole of the research area "Assistive Technologies". The primary objective is to create a unified access to all the resources available in Europe related to Information Technologies for Disability, promoting the development of an information society for all, summarized in the concept of e-inclusion (digital inclusion) in the strategic document "Digital Agenda Europea 2010" (Concept combining the idea of accessible information technologies, and at the same time the use of them to improve economic performance, employment opportunities, quality of life, social inclusion and cohesion). In this sense, it is a further step in the process of integrating information on disability, which began in 2006 with the creation of the European Assistive Technology Information Network (EASTIN) European Aid Portalto evolve into a search engine (EASTIN 2.0) based on a friendly and multilingual interface, in order to ensure a strong impact, in terms of disseminating information and raising awareness on issues related to participation and inclusion of people with disabilities. The Portal to which the Etna Network is working will thus represent a "virtual space" able to reach the widest possible audience in Europe, responding to the needs of all actors in the sector: people with disabilities and their families, Health professionals, socio-educational professionals, researchers, software developers, service providers, manufacturers, bodies responsible for socio-health and industrial policies. In addition to ensuring access to information about Information Technologies and accessible products, The Portal aims to remedy the lack of availability of freeware (or software programs freely downloadable and usable) and open-source software (for which the programming code is freely downloadable and modifiable), these being often "buried" in the meanders of the Internet together with the software intended for common commercial applications. Instead, the Portal aims to guarantee access to specialised directories, from which it is possible to directly download these types of programmes and other components or tools useful to IT technicians engaged in the field of disability, This creates the conditions for a wider and more effective development of accessible aids and IT solutions. A context in which information and resources are transparent and easily accessible helps to create an audience of informed, demanding and responsible "consumers". This situation, promoted by the Thematic Network, will certainly affect the market of assistive technologies, which will be encouraged to undertake a process of evolution and expansion of the sector, to meet not only greater demand, but also more articulate and aware. At the same time, the context that you want to encourage can contribute significantly to the empowerment of citizens with disabilities, facilitating the free choice of the best solution for their autonomy thanks to the availability of "accessible information about mobility aids, devices and assistive technologies..." Article 4 paragraph h of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Another element in support of the project is the close cooperation with another European thematic network (ATIS4All, stands for "Assistive Technology and Inclusive Solutions for All" or "Assistive Technologies and Inclusive Solutions for All", www.atis4all.eu), with which ETNA is working in parallel. In order to operate synergistically and without overlap, aiming at the same objectives, each network has carved out a specific role: where ETNA has the task of developing the search engine mentioned above, ATIS4All is focusing on interactive applications to create an active and dynamic web community, aimed at the exchange of opinions and experience between different actors, involved at different levels in the use, research or development of technological aids.
