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The purpose of this paper is to indicate a framework for exploiting the potential role of assistive technology (AT) in supporting care and participation of people with disabilities and elderly people through appropriate service delivery systems (SDS). The paper is based on the findings of the AAATE/EASTIN workshop "Service Delivery Systems on Assistive Technology in Europe" (held in Copenhagen on May 21-22, 2012, under the patronage of the Danish EU Presidency), on the roadmaps indicated by the previous HEART Study published in 1995 by the European Commission, and on a consensus process within the Board of the AAATE (Association for Advancement of Assistive Technology in Europe) and the EASTIN Association (European Assistive Technology Information Network). The first chapter Background) discusses the reasons why a position paper on this issue was deemed useful; it also summarises the key themes of the Copenhagen workshop and recalls the HEART Study. The second chapter (The scope of an AT SDS), discusses the concept of assistive solutions - intended as individualised interventions providing users with appropriate environmental facilitators (AT products, personalised environmental modifications, personal assistance) to overcome disability and enable participation in all aspects of life - and the mission of a SDS - ensuring that all people with disabilities can access appropriate assistive solutions that are able to support autonomy in their life environment. The paper also points out that AT service delivery policies should be well coordinated with accessibility policies i.e. those related to infrastructural interventions ensuring that the mainstream environment, products and services are usable by all people, including those with reduced function or who depend on assistive technology. The third chapter (Basic features of an AT SDS) discusses why public SDS are needed for AT, what the main AT SDS models are, and how a SDS process can be described and monitored in terms of quality. The discussion is organised into answers to eight recurring questions: 1) Are assistive technology products going to disappear in the future, due to the embodiment of accessibility features in mainstream products; 2) Why shouldn't assistive technology products be dealt with as common consumer goods, purchased directly by users without the intermediation of service delivery systems; 3) Are there different approaches for AT service delivery; 4) When can a medical model, or a social model, or a consumer model be considered appropriate; 5) Independently of the model and the Country or Region, is it possible to identify common steps in the service delivery process; 6) How does each step influence the costs and the outcomes of the whole process; 7) How can the SDS process be monitored by quality indicators; and 8) How can information support the service delivery process. The last chapter (Some recommendations) provides a number of useful recommendations for those who are engaged in the design, development and implementation of AT SDS policies. The recommendations are clustered round the six SDS quality indicators suggested by the HEART Study: Accessibility, Competence, Coordination, Efficiency, Flexibility, User Influence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents information on a study which examined if it is possible to use technology to simplify the processing of text so that people with mild to moderate developmental disabilities can independently navigate the Internet. Usefulness of the C-Pen 10 electronic device; Concept of Assistive Computer Control easy to Learn (ACCeL) system; Use of the ViTal screen reader in the ACCeL concept.

BACKGROUND: Do-it-yourself technologies such as 3D printing offer interesting opportunities for creating custom-made assistive devices for people with disabilities. Although these opportunities are increasingly acknowledged, it remains unclear how 3D printing technology should be implemented in assistive devices delivery processes. OBJECTIVE: In three separate action research projects carried out in Belgium, Italy and The Netherlands, workflows were designed and evaluated that incorporate 3D printing as a standard option for providing clients with suitable assistive devices. METHODS: In this paper we describe and compare the three workflows that were conceived simultaneously, yet independently from each other. RESULTS: Based on the evaluations of these workflows, and the experiences of the researchers who developed the workflows, we provide recommendations for implementing 3D printing as a common approach in assistive device delivery processes in practice. Most importantly, designing and manufacturing should be done by means of a client-centered co-creation process by interdisciplinary teams of clinicians, clients, and 3D printing experts. We provide several recommendations for facilitating and supporting collaborations within such teams. CONCLUSIONS: The three workflows presented in this paper are strikingly similar and therefore provide a convincing starting point for interdisciplinary design teams who wish to embark on 3D printing custom-made assistive devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author ponders on his role as the editor of the journal "Technology and Disability" for 20 years. In his final editorial for the year 2011, the author offers an overview of the first special issue of 2012, which will feature the article "Outcome Research in the Field of Assistive Technology." He also announces the appointment of Gert Jan Gelderblom as the journal's new editor in chief. He then looks back and reflects on the past of the journal.

An introduction to the journal is presented wherein the editor discusses various reports published within the issue including "The Neurophysiology of Augmentative Manipulation: A Method for Technical Implementaton," "Word and Sentence Prediction: Using the Best of the Two Worlds to Assist AAC Users" and "Inclusive AAC: Multi-modal and Multilingual Language Support for All."

BACKGROUND: In the tourism industry, people with disabilities (PwD) are frequently excluded from certain activities. The Internet is one of the most used information sources for planning tourism trips. However, the level of accessibility of information disseminated by the tourism industry through websites is still very low. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to explore the existence of diversity in Web accessibility in the tourism industry. METHODS: A systematic literature review method was used for the identification, selection, and evaluation of the published research on Web accessibility in the tourism industry. A set of 40 papers obtained from relevant scientific databases, and complemented with a snowballing effect, was synthesized and analyzed. RESULTS: Low levels of diversity of Web accessibility were found in the different tourism activities analyzed. The majority of studies published in this field are relatively recent and both manual and automated methods were employed. Web accessibility failures were mainly related to lack of connectivity with assistive technologies, complex layout, and navigation difficulties. CONCLUSION: The results obtained in this systematic literature review provide important contributions to increase knowledge of Web accessibility in the tourism industry. Moreover, practical and theoretical contributions can help Web developers creating more accessible tourism websites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: New technologies have made rapid advances in the field of assistive technologies (AT), with Extended Reality (XR) offering promising results in supporting people with mild intellectual disabilities (ID). Yet, the design and goals of programs for people with mild ID may differ from those for people with moderate and severe ID. It remains unclear how XR technologies are used for people with moderate to severe ID. OBJECTIVE: The study we present in this paper aimed to explore what is known from the existing scientific literature about XR-based interventions for supporting people with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities, including the features of XR content and technology that is used and factors that may impact implementation. METHODS: We conducted a scoping review, searching Cinahl, PubMed, LibSearch, and Google Scholar based on inclusion and exclusion criteria ensuring the focus on XR and moderate to severe ID. We adopted a qualitative content analysis approach to review the papers resulting from the search. RESULTS: In total, we included 16 papers in the review. Most of these focused on XR-based interventions to improve specific skills, such as navigation and daily living skills, in order to increase autonomy and independence. We found a large variety in the content and technology used in these interventions as well as in factors that the authors found to affect the implementation. These factors concern characteristics of users, of caregivers or facilitators, and of the XR environments and systems. The majority of the papers reported studies with small sample sizes, and lacked control groups and follow-up periods to measure long-term effects of XR. CONCLUSIONS: The use of XR for people with moderate to severe ID is an emerging field. Although many authors of the reviewed studies do acknowledge the potential of XR, further evidence is needed. Future research might explore the potential of XR as leisure activity, and might study in detail how features of the XR environment impact behaviour to inform professionals about how to approach their use of XR in order to meet the needs and preferences of people with moderate and severe ID. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a lifelong developmental disorder with increasing prevalence rates. People affected by ASD do often need support in various activities of daily living mainly provided by formal or informal caregivers. Assistive technology can help to increase autonomy and safety of people on the autism spectrum and thus decrease the burden of care. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess the state of the art of assistive technology (AT) that supports autonomy, self-reliance, comfort and wellbeing of people with ASD or aiming to prevent dangerous situations or shutdowns, caused by stressful (environmental) situations. Another aim is to analyze the fields of application and type of the proposed technologies and to explore the evaluations conducted. METHODS: A scoping review was carried out where the databases MEDLINE, IEEE and ACM Digital Library were searched. The identified articles were grouped according to the objective of the technology – the supported area of life that is assisted by the proposed systems. Furthermore, the conducted evaluations of the ATs in the papers were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 40 articles were included in this review with a balanced distribution in the different fields of application (Communication & Social Life; Daily Living Assistants; Safety & Security). Eighteen studies conducted an evaluation of the proposed technology with people with ASD, mainly testing the functionality of the systems. CONCLUSION: The proposed technologies support people in the autism spectrum according to the main outcomes and symptoms of ASD. Further research is needed to determine the usefulness and acceptance of the ATs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Many studies have been developed to explore and better understand the interaction between individuals and technological resources in the context of special education. These studies show that Information and Communication Technologies, and more specifically digital games, have the potential to improve the learning process of children with disabilities. OBJECTIVE: The main purpose of this paper was to develop a literature review in order to identify the benefits of the use of Serious Games (SG) to the literacy process of children with disabilities and learning difficulties. METHODS: Previous studies related to the use of Serious Games (SG) in the literacy process of children with disabilities and learning difficulties were identified and analyzed. Considering the expressions, keywords and criteria used to select the papers, the sample was comprised of 25 studies. RESULTS: The main results show that SG, when used as assistive technologies, contribute to the literacy process, since children usually feel motivated to play the games and learn. Moreover, we identified that to benefit the literacy process, games need to be easy to use, challenging, enjoyable and include feedback, reinforcements and interactive resources. CONCLUSIONS: The literature indicates that the use of SG can stimulate engagement and that interactive activities can contribute to the literacy process of children with disabilities and learning difficulties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various models, frameworks, and systems have been established to support persons with disabilities in accessing assistive technology (AT). This paper highlights the commonalities and complementary aspects of these resources for the optimal selection of the most appropriate AT for a particular user. The selection process considers the user characteristics, abilities, needs, and environment. However, it does not provide a specific methodology for tailoring this technology to individual users. This study reports on the experience of an interdisciplinary team formed in 2001 to develop user-tailored AT. The team established a systematic methodology, detailed as a step-by-step protocol. A survey was conducted to validate the protocol’s effectiveness and assess the impact of user-tailored AT. Participants included users and stakeholders. Quantitative data were requested and complemented with qualitative information. Eighty-one participants were involved, with 92.6% reliant on augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems. A user-tailored AT was developed for this cohort, with a sustained usage rate of 56.4%. Quantitative analysis revealed a 40% reduction in reported difficulties, and Individually Prioritized Problem Assessment (IPPA) scores demonstrated a corresponding 40% improvement in overall effectiveness. The qualitative data corroborated these findings, highlighting positive user feedback and underlining the significance of family support and interdisciplinary collaboration. The proposed methodology offers a step-by-step protocol that complements current models and frameworks and aims to guide individuals and teams that develop user-tailored AT for persons with disabilities. Additionaly, this study reflects the importance of applying user-tailored AT to improve the quality of life of persons with disabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: In recent years, with ever-improving technology, considerable progress has been made in the approaches available to develop mobility assistive technology systems. OBJECTIVE: This paper aims to anticipate the future of assistive technologies of navigation and mobility for people with severe visual disabilities in the next twenty years (2021–2041). METHODS: We conducted a technology foresight exercise by identifying promising technologies and invited over 20,000 researchers worldwide to share their views on the future of assistive technologies for people with visual impairment. The technologies and respondents were identified from specialized journals indexed on Web of Science. RESULTS: Most respondents believe computer vision will be the most important assistive technology group for mobility and navigation for visually impaired people, especially with haptic feedback. They also believe that voice and vibrotactile are the most relevant feedback and that glasses and smartphones will be the most important tools for visual impairment support. CONCLUSIONS: While costs and lack of user training may hamper the development and use of these new technologies, they represent the future of assistive technology for people with visual impairments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The design, provision, and assessment of prosthetic arm technologies and related services are all dependent on an understanding of how prosthetic arms are used in everyday life. This research examines the scientific literature on prosthetic arm technologies and approaches that have been used to evaluate upper limb prosthetic arms in daily life use. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this review paper is to give an outline of current literature, which covers the selection, design, and choices of prosthetic arm technologies. METHODS: A structural search for the available technologies on the prosthetic arm was carried out. A research database search was carried out in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Crossref, Google Scholar, and questionnaires were evaluated based on available prosthetic arm technologies, material, methodology, comfortability. RESULTS: From the proposed review, it is concluded that not all prosthetic technologies suit the patients because of the difference in injuries. Every prosthetic arm technology has its advantages and limitations depending on end-user requirements and comfortability. Based on the available literature, it is observed that amputees have been given equal importance to comfortability along with functionality. Consequently, amputees may opt for a prosthetic arm technology that is easy to use and comfortable rather than an advanced technology-based prosthetic arm but less with comfortability. CONCLUSION: An attempt has been made for extensive reviews for the various types of prosthetic systems, materials, usability, methodologies, comfortability, etc. Comparative studies on various types of available prosthetic arm technologies have been also carried out with pros and cons. More specifically, the proposed paper provides a significant review of the upper limb prosthetic arm's current developments and their impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Existing generic technology design principles and guidelines are considered not to be sensitive enough to meet the needs of people with learning difficulties. OBJECTIVE: To propose a unified design framework that can inform the design of technologies for people with learning difficulties. METHODS: A literature search was undertaken and the resulting papers were analysed and coded in order to identify common ideas or recommendations that could be clustered into design principles. RESULTS: Four main categories of design principles were identified: learning support, accessibility, usability and agency. A conceptual framework incorporating diversity, difference and digital inclusion offers a way to understand the consequences of applying or not applying some or all of the principles. CONCLUSIONS: A unified framework for the design of technologies for people with learning difficulties has the potential to fill the gap that more generic design guidelines cannot fill with regards to meeting the very specific needs of people with learning difficulties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The recent COVID-19 pandemic like situation has killed a large numbers of people and caused havoc across the world. With the aim of providing the COVID-19 related updated information about facilities, availability, utilization of COVID-19 related resources like vaccines, hospitals, beds, oxygen to the people and preventing its surge, many websites were developed for health guidance to the general masses. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this paper is to investigate the accessibility and usability of websites providing COVID-19 information in India. METHODS: This study evaluates the 38 websites providing COVID-19 information in India using automated tools. RESULTS: It was found that digital healthcare information is far from accessibility conformance and none of the websites conformed to web content accessibility guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 completely. The website adhered to understandability with average errors of 2.8 while less compliant to perceivability with average errors of 30.5. It was also found that most of the websites were mobile friendly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pandemic has affected every facet of human life. Apart from individual's psychological and mental health issues, mobility, access and communication with high risk infection is a challenging situation. People with disabilities are more vulnerable to infections. The new changes in our social lifestyle (social distancing, limiting touch) can profoundly impact the day-to-day life of people with disabilities. In this paper, we will briefly discuss the situation faced by individuals with disabilities, some known remedies, and yet to be identified and curated technological remedies; the impact due to transition of special education toward online mode, and tips and tricks for better utilization of work from home concept by people with disabilities. Accessibility must be universal, accommodate all and encourage inclusivity. As rightly said by Helen Keller, "The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision"; subsequently, going by the demands of the time, we should contribute towards the universal design approach by supporting people with disabilities and committing to the changes required in disability care to reduce the impact of the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Web accessibility is one of the most important aspects of building a website. It is important for web developers to ensure that their website is accessible according to WCAG standards for people with different range of abilities. There is plethora of tools for ensuring conformance to WCAG standards but not many studies compared performance of automatic WCAG tools. OBJECTIVE: This paper compares a set of ten WCAG tools and their results in terms of ease of comprehension and interpretation by web developers. We proposed a Common User Profile format to help personalize contents of website making it accessible to people with different range of abilities. METHODS: We selected ten WCAG tools from World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) to evaluate landing pages of two popular websites. For each webpage, we identified accessibility issues and recommended alternate suggestions to help developers improve accessibility. Further, we highlighted accessibility issues that cannot be captured only through conformance to WCAG tools; and proposed additional methods to evaluate accessibility through an Inclusive User Model. We then demonstrated how simulation of user interaction can capture usability and accessibility issues that are not detected through only syntactic analysis of websites' content. Finally, we proposed a Common User Profile format that can be used to compare and contrast accessibility systems and services, and to simulate and personalize interaction for users with different range of abilities. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: After careful evaluation of two websites using the ten tools, we noted that, both websites lacked color contrast between background and foreground; lack of sign language alternatives; opening of pop-ups without proper warnings and so on. Further, results from comparative analysis of selected web accessibility tools noted that, there is no single tool that can be found ideal in all aspects. However, from our study, Utilitia Validator by Utilitia SP. z O.O was considered the most feasible tool. By rectifying and incorporating issues and alternate suggestions by simulation study and Common User Profile format respectively, developers can improve both websites making it accessible to maximum audience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Traditional manual wheelchair users suffer from upper limbs injuries due to the propulsion gesture. OBJECTIVE: This paper presents the experimental activity addressed to define the dynamic characteristics of a novel manual wheelchair. The design and realization of the wheelchair aim to reduce injuries of the upper limbs related to conventional wheelchairs. A new index called Peak Of Force, POF, is defined and applied to the different wheelchair manual propulsion systems. METHODS: The wheelchair speed and the left and right-hand forces exerted by the user are monitored. The tests have been performed by changing the transmission ratio of the wheelchair and the wheelchair speed. RESULTS: The indices MEF and FEF are lower than 100% due to the lateral and radial forces for hand-rim wheelchairs and handbikes. For Handwheelchair.Q these indices are equal to 100%. The mean value of index POF for Handwheelchair.Q is 51.75%, while it is about 42.5% for the hand-rim wheelchair, and 57.6% for the handbike. CONCLUSIONS: The user forces for Handwheelchair.Q depend on the wheelchair speed and the pulley radius. The larger pulley radius reduces the average and the maximum force. A variable transmission ratio can be implemented on the proposed wheelchair. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Thousands of United Arab Emirates (UAE) citizens are living with physical challenge that render them incapable of performing routine activities the rest of us take for granted. OBJECTIVE: This paper investigated utilization of currently available and emerging assistive technologies, and examined the level of awareness of such technologies among the physically challenged population in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Knowing the level of awareness and usage of assistive technologies can phase the way for governments, and other stakeholders to develop effective policies that are capable of improving the lives of the physically challenged population. METHODS: This research conducted a survey of a total of 50 participants (30 females and 20 males) with varieties of physical disabilities. The data collected from the survey participants were tallied by counting the number of participants' response to series of simple Yes/No questions. RESULTS: Results have shown that only 40% are currently using assistive technologies; with 61.2% being aware of existing assistive technologies. The most identified currently available assistive technologies among survey participants are the wheelchair and transportation vans, and the least identified emerging technologies are systems that respond to head nod. With regards to the newly emerging technologies, only 10% of participants are aware of them, with (70%) willing to use the newly emerging technologies if made available. Also, 60% of the participants benefit from government assistance, and 40% from both philanthropic and family support. With regards to employability, only 2% are fully employed. CONCLUSIONS: The overall low-level of awareness of (both currently available and emerging assistive technologies) observed is an indication of the need for substantial work that needs to be done towards creating an effective awareness program capable of increasing the overall utilization of assistive technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: On-screen keyboard controlled by gaze is the most useful approach to help people with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) communicate. However, the design of the traditional on-screen keyboard hinders gaze typing for languages other than English. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this paper is developing a specialized on-screen keyboard controlled by gaze for Vietnamese people with ALS. METHODS: Designed on-screen keyboard layouts and selection mechanism based on the requirements of eye typing and Vietnamese language characteristics from the statistics results on the Vietnamese Wikipedia Corpus dataset. During the experiment, we also absorbed and modified some design features according to the users' suggestions. RESULTS: The authors proposed two new specialized on-screen keyboard layouts controlled by eye gaze for the Vietnamese language which both speed up typing and reduce typos. The results of the experiment are an average typing speed of respectively 23.1 and 26.1 characters per minute, and an average error rate of 1.0% and 0.5% for the two layouts. All participants were satisfied when using the system at their house. CONCLUSIONS: Although the effectiveness of the proposed method depends on the time of use and the familiarity of users with the new keyboard, the potential of the proposed method is great. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic degenerative neurological disease with visual, sensitive, motor, or cognitive symptoms. Physical activities are recommended for people with MS (pwMS) who are at home instead of in a rehabilitation program, to help them to maintain their autonomy. Since a lack of motivation appears to be the principal barrier for pwMS to practice exercises, it is necessary to evaluate whether mobile health (mHealth) tools can offer a solution to stimulate their motivation. OBJECTIVE: This literature review analyzes papers to investigate to how a mobile application can motivate pwMS to practice physical activities and manage their fatigue. METHODS: We performed an automatic query from digital libraries and analyzed the studies. RESULTS: We selected seven articles that responded to our criteria. These studies tested mobile applications that used different strategies to motivate pwMS to practice physical exercises at home and manage their fatigue. A lack of motivation was the main obstacle, but depending on the type of exercises chosen, some application settings seemed to resolve this issue. CONCLUSIONS: Studies in this area are limited, although this literature review highlights the need for mHealth tools in which pwMS and their therapists contribute to their use and conception. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Virtual reality (VR) gaming (VRG) captures, examines, analysis, and renders the game data virtually instead of the users' devices over efficient networks. E.g., VR is crucial in visually guided surgery and manifold therapies. Video Quality Assessment (VQA) helps VRG software and devices execute high-quality inputs/outputs. This paper debates VRG processes, environments, VQA metrics, Quality of Experience (QoE), platforms, current methods, tools, use in medicine, existing operational gains/challenges, and highlights future directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Vision impairments affect the ability to navigate environments and gain spatial perception of one's surroundings. Existing navigation aids typically provide close-range information, but not feedback on farther distances (i.e., beyond 5 m from the user). OBJECTIVE: To address this gap, the OptiBand, a custom assistive device, was previously designed with a stakeholder who is blind. The OptiBand uses Lidar sensing and haptic feedback to relay information on objects up to 15 m away. In this paper, we sought to evaluate the efficacy of the OptiBand with an in situ user study. METHODS: N = 9 participants (eight blind and one low-vision) used the OptiBand for a period of three months. Users periodically rated spatial perception workload and trust of their assistive navigation aids (at first as a baseline without the OptiBand, and then with the OptiBand). RESULTS: The OptiBand tended to yield lower workload requirements and similar trust levels compared to existing navigation aids. Interview data demonstrated the usefulness of the OptiBand in selected day-to-day tasks such as navigating outdoors and maintaining appropriate interpersonal spacing. CONCLUSIONS: This work provides evidence on benefits of and potential uses of assistive navigation aids like the OptiBand. Researchers interested in similar devices can benefit from our efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Technology in recent times has shown exciting advancements. These advancements have been implemented in healthcare settings to improve therapeutic outcomes. Within the domain of communication disorders, stuttering has witnessed the implementation of a wide variety of technological interventions. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the current status of technology-based stuttering intervention programs, their advantages and disadvantages, and a few directions for future research. AIM: This review aimed to systematically identify the technologies used in stuttering intervention and explore the effect of these interventions on dysfluencies in stuttering. METHOD: We followed the conventional systematic review process and searched six electronic databases using relevant keywords. We included intervention studies published since 1990 on individuals diagnosed with developmental stuttering. In addition, all studies that used technological intervention such as device(s), computer programs, and mobile phone applications were included. RESULT: Fifty-nine studies were included after a thorough eligibility check. The major categories of technological rehabilitation include telehealth technology, software programs, biofeedback, virtual reality, video-self modeling, neuromodulation, and altered auditory feedback. In general, the results show a beneficial effect of technological intervention in reducing stuttering. Further, this review identifies reduction of the duration and minimal to no side effects with such intervention technologies in stuttering. Finally, the percentage of stuttered syllables (%SS) emerged as the most common outcome measure in technology-based intervention in stuttering. CONCLUSION: A wide variety of technological applications have been implemented in stuttering intervention. Regardless of type, all the studies that aimed to examine the effect of the technological intervention on stuttering reported positive outcomes. This review highlights technology-based stuttering intervention programs' current status and their impact on stuttering dysfluencies. Further, it highlights several advantages and disadvantages of implementing technology-based interventions, and a few directions for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Posture control involves complex reactions of dynamic and static movements, and various sensory inputs. There is evidence that exercise using multisensory stimulation is moderately effective in improving the balance of the elderly. OBJECTIVE: The main purpose of this paper was to examine the existing literature to validate the effectiveness and applicability of multisensory stimulation training. METHODS: All relevant literature published as of June 1, 2020 in four prominent databases was searched (Embase, PubMed, PsycINFO, and Web of science) using the five-stage review framework proposed by Arksey and O'Malley. RESULTS: Multisensory stimulation training was more effective when vestibular and somatosensory were combined with visual stimuli, and differences in effectiveness compared to the effectiveness of existing treatments were confirmed. However, most of the reviewed papers are compared to simple strength training, and studies that compare the effects of multisensory stimulation training by setting a control group are still lacking. CONCLUSION: Further research is required to further elucidate the training conditions and treatment environment for multisensory training for the elderly at risk of falls and to provide strategies to improve treatment methods. In addition, a study that can evaluate user satisfaction in a way that best shows the treatment effect using qualitative research methods will be needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The use of computers as a communication tool by people with disabilities can serve as an alternative effective to promote social interactions and the more inclusive and active participation of people in society. OBJECTIVE: This paper presents a systematic mapping of the literature that provides a survey of scientific contributions where Computer Vision is applied to enable users with motor and speech impairments to access computers easily, allowing them to exert their communicative abilities. METHODS: The mapping was conducted employing searches that identified 221 potentially eligible scientific articles published between 2009 and 2019, indexed by ACM, IEEE, Science Direct, and Springer databases. RESULTS: From the retrieved papers, 33 were selected and categorized into themes of this research interest: Human-Computer Interaction, Human-Machine Interaction, Human-Robot Interaction, Recreation, and surveys. Most of the chosen studies use sets of predefined gestures, low-cost cameras, and tracking a specific body region for gestural interaction. CONCLUSION: The results offer an overview of the Computer Vision techniques used in applied research on Assistive Technology for people with motor and speech disabilities, pointing out opportunities and challenges in this research domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Research focusses on providing economical and effective tactile readers which incorporate relative motion between the fingertip and the reading text. OBJECTIVE: Here, a novel design and prototype of a tactile reader is proposed for blind Braille and non-Braille users based on the sequential reading of text when using a single cell reader. METHODS: The accuracy of reading words using this design was evaluated on 17 visually challenged users who know Braille. With a slight modification in the design to benefit non-braille users, the reading of words on 10 blind-folded sighted individuals and 12 late-blind visually challenged users was investigated. Differences in recognition of English letters formed by dots and lines were explored. RESULTS: The results showed no significant difference in accuracy when reading words with this prototype compared to braille reading on paper. The percentage accuracy in reading words for the 39 users was 98.62% for blind braille readers, 90% for blindfolded sighted users and 96.8% for blind non-braille users. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that the proposed design for tactile reading can potentially benefit both groups of visually challenged users-those who know braille and those who do not. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Though speaking skills in the mother tongue develop naturally, developing reading skills requires training. Dyslexia is a language-based learning disability that can affect the reading ability in any language. Although many literature is available to address these challenges, the need to teach sentence reading was neglected. This paper addresses problems faced while reading sentences. As computer-based multi-sensory teaching is considered as an effective way to teach children with dyslexia (CwD), the proposed system uses multisensory teaching methods to teach sentence reading in Hindi and Bangla languages. It shows sentences as word packages to teach word sequence and help with comprehension. The platform records the response time of the user to generate a performance report to monitor her performance. For evaluating the system, an expert survey was conducted with 26 special educators in two phases, pre-test and post-test. The questionnaires were prepared following previous literature under the expert's supervision. The pre-test data helped in understanding the educators' experience and opinions about assistive technology and the post-test data were used to evaluate the system. In the evaluation, all educators agreed that the system will be very useful for their students and it will give a generalised solution for all the challenges their students face. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterized by difficulties in social communication, social interactions, and repetitive behaviors. The earlier the diagnosis, the sooner the intervention therapy can begin, thus, making early diagnosis an important research goal. Technological innovations have tremendous potential to assist with early diagnosis and improve intervention programs. There is a limited understanding of the Wearable Technologies (WTs) currently available for autistic individuals, and how they measure functioning in this population. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this review is to identify advancement in wearable technologies used to monitor behavioral and physiological responses in the intervention of children with ASD. METHODS: A literature search was performed for English language articles and conference papers indexed in Science direct, PubMed, Web of science, Google scholar, ERIC, ProQuest and Cochrane in last five years (2017–2021), resulting in eighteen studies being reviewed. RESULTS: Wearable technology present a potential solution that can support and complement existing interventions. WTs measured a range of physiological and behavioural functions to objectively measure stereotypical motor movements, social function, communication, and emotion regulation in autistic youth in the context of a range of environments and activities. CONCLUSIONS: Advancement in technology that include behavioral and physiological response monitoring with wearable sensors provide the opportunity to acquire new understanding of the internal components of observable behavior of children with ASD. This could lead to better individualization of treatment and greater treatment effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides an overview of the major areas of research within the Department of Applied Computing at the University of Dundee. This research focuses on the areas of Interactive Communication Systems, Telecommunications and Remote Learning, Computer based Interviewing and Knowledge Elicitation, Health Informatics, Software Engineering, and Digital Signal Processing. A major strand throughout these areas is a focus on Human Computing Interaction issues, and the use of computing technology to facilitate interpersonal communication, particularly for people with disabilities. The research has produced many new insights in these areas and a number of commercial products have been licensed as a result. The Department's unique approach is based on placing the user at the centre of the design process, and having people with disabilities make major contributions as participants in the research and also as researchers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the present work is to present some aspects of the Assistive Technology Assessment (ATA) process model compatible with the Position Paper 2012 by AAATE/EASTIN. Three aspects of the ATA process will be discussed in light of three topics of the Position Paper 2012: (i) The dimensions and the measures of the User eXperience (UX) evaluation modelled in the ATA process as a way to verify the efficient and the evidence-based practices of an AT service delivery centre; (ii) The relevance of the presence of the psychologist in the multidisciplinary team of an AT service delivery centre as necessary for a complete person-centred assistive solution empowering users to make their own choices; (iii) The new profession of the psychotechnologist, who explores user's needs by seeking a proper assistive solution, leading the multidisciplinary team to observe critical issues and problems. Through the foundation of the Position Paper 2012, the 1995 HEART study, the Matching Person and Technology model, the ICF framework, and the pillars of the ATA process, this paper sets forth a concept and approach that emphasise the personal factors of the individual consumer and UX as key to positively impacting a successful outcome and AT solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author presents the double issue of "Technology and Disability" which contains materials submitted to the Association for the Advancement of Assistive Technology in Europe (AAATE) 2013 Conference in Vilamoura, Portugal where guest editor Dr. Pedro Encarnacao was one of the hosts of the 2013 conference. The issue has 2 papers including one on the use of tactile radar for blind people and another on the systematic review on the use of switches by children.

An introduction is presented where in the editor-in-chief discusses various articles within the issue on topics including tele-care application, development of an instrument for participation assessment, and assessment of robot development.

BACKGROUND: Technology is widely used in school to assist students with visual impairments. Drawing with traditional methods is still difficult for those users. In this paper, we present and discuss an evaluation of a haptic and sound interactive drawing program (HIPP). OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to identify what aspects of the technological aid support the drawing skill development in children with visual impairment. METHODS: Interviews, observations and video recordings of use situations were used for data gathering. Our analysis is based on cultural-historical activity theory, and examines the mediation between the child and the object of their activity, their drawings, as well as the roles of teachers, classmates, assistants, and family. RESULTS: The haptic and audio drawing program supports the steps (doodling, interpretation, planning, and more intentional drawing) observed in visually-acquired drawing, although possible improvements have also been identified. Observations of the drawing program in use showed that its mix of dynamic multimodal interaction and a stable drawing feedback, enable visually impaired students and sighted teachers to jointly access a shared representation. CONCLUSIONS: Successful long-term use, together with the presented results of our analysis show how multimodal dynamic and stable interaction can successfully support drawing activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information related to the several thematic papers to be discussed at 2019 Association for the Advancement of Assistive Technology in Europe (AAATE) conference in Bologna, Italy. Some of the thematic papers include cognitive accessibility of digital resources; user participation in software development; and making Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) accessible to disabled people.

Providing a cheaper and comfortable solution in the rehabilitation process of stroke patients to improve their hand function is a challenging task. Employing physiotherapists to improve hand function of stroke patients once they are discharged from the hospital is a costly affair in developing and underdeveloped nations. In this research work the design, development and control of a low cost, self-actuated hand orthotic device was presented that can be used in the rehabilitation process of stroke patients in improving their hand functions. In this paper a single degree of freedom, low cost, easy to wear, easy control, auto-actuating orthosis was designed on the basis of the abduction and adduction method. A graphical user interface (GUI) was developed for self-actuation and it would simplify the control of the device to alter the angle and speed of the carpometacarpal joint during the therapy of stroke and surgery sufferers by the physiotherapists at hospitals. The same can be employed by users post hospital treatment at their residences without the need to hire physiotherapists. The experiments conducted in the lab and tests with patients at the rehabilitation center demonstrate the success of the system. Given its excellent comfortableness, easy-of-use, light-weight and affordable cost, this device can be used to address the rehabilitation issues of the patients with hand paralysis, particularly in developing countries post hospital treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This literature review aims to grasp an overall understanding of European research related to assistive technology for disabled children during the period 2000-2005. Electronic and manual searches of six databases, AAATE conference publications, and issues of the journal Technology and Disability yielded 27 articles and 40 conference papers that met the inclusion criteria, which were studies of European origin and involving assistive technology that conforms to the ISO 9999 classification. The review showed that existing research studies are very limited in number and are focused on ICT-related assistive technology, while a lack of research exists in relation to lower technologies or dealing with the whole assistive environments. Methodologically there is a need to improve child participation and the use of psychosocial theories in research and development. On the whole, this research area is methodologically very challenging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the present work is to present some aspects of the Assistive Technology Assessment (ATA) process model compatible with the Position Paper 2012 by AAATE/EASTIN. Three aspects of the ATA process will be discussed in light of three topics of the Position Paper 2012: (i) The dimensions and the measures of the User eXperience (UX) evaluation modelled in the ATA process as a way to verify the efficient and the evidence-based practices of an AT service delivery centre; (ii) The relevance of the presence of the psychologist in the multidisciplinary team of an AT service delivery centre as necessary for a complete person-centred assistive solution empowering users to make their own choices; (iii) The new profession of the psychotechnologist, who explores user's needs by seeking a proper assistive solution, leading the multidisciplinary team to observe critical issues and problems. Through the foundation of the Position Paper 2012, the 1995 HEART study, the Matching Person and Technology model, the ICF framework, and the pillars of the ATA process, this paper sets forth a concept and approach that emphasise the personal factors of the individual consumer and UX as key to positively impacting a successful outcome and AT solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Users with Severe Speech and Motor Impairment (SSMI) often use a communication chart through their eye gaze or limited hand movement and care takers interpret their communication intent. There is already significant research conducted to automate this communication through electronic means. Developing electronic user interface and interaction techniques for users with SSMI poses significant challenges as research on their ocular parameters found that such users suffer from Nystagmus and Strabismus limiting number of elements in a computer screen. This paper presents an optimized eye gaze controlled virtual keyboard for English language with an adaptive dwell time feature for users with SSMI. OBJECTIVE: Present an optimized eye gaze controlled English virtual keyboard that follows both static and dynamic adaptation process. The virtual keyboard can automatically adapt to reduce eye gaze movement distance and dwell time for selection and help users with SSMI type better without any intervention of an assistant. METHODS: Before designing the virtual keyboard, we undertook a pilot study to optimize screen region which would be most comfortable for SSMI users to operate. We then proposed an optimized two-level English virtual keyboard layout through Genetic algorithm using static adaptation process; followed by dynamic adaptation process which tracks users' interaction and reduces dwell time based on a Markov model-based algorithm. Further, we integrated the virtual keyboard for a web-based interactive dashboard that visualizes real-time Covid data. RESULTS: Using our proposed virtual keyboard layout for English language, the average task completion time for users with SSMI was 39.44 seconds in adaptive condition and 29.52 seconds in non-adaptive condition. Overall typing speed was 16.9 lpm (letters per minute) for able-bodied users and 6.6 lpm for users with SSMI without using any word completion or prediction features. A case study with an elderly participant with SSMI found a typing speed of 2.70 wpm (words per minute) and 14.88 lpm (letters per minute) after 6 months of practice. CONCLUSIONS: With the proposed layout for English virtual keyboard, the adaptive system increased typing speed statistically significantly for able bodied users than a non-adaptive version while for 6 users with SSMI, task completion time reduced by 8.8% in adaptive version than nonadaptive one. Additionally, the proposed layout was successfully integrated to a web-based interactive visualization dashboard thereby making it accessible for users with SSMI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper considers the main aspects and questions that are required to be asked by any designer of residences that include technology designed to support the lives of disabled people. It seeks to reframe the design process to extend the concepts of 'inclusive' and 'universal' design within the social context of designing for people with a wide range of disabilities. Designing 'smart homes' or homes that contain elements of 'smart home' technology for disabled or older people is not different from designing the home for people without any form of impairment on the one hand. On the other hand, there is a perceptual shift that is required in order to ensure needs are met from all stakeholders. There is a need to determine the needs of the occupant(s) and reflect these needs within the overall design. This paper addresses the main questions that arise from the design process as well as discuss the role of cultural probes in enhancing the design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The dominance of a digital wave is being felt in every sphere of the industry, and has been a big boon for online shoppers today. However, companies tend to ignore a section of their customer base, i.e. those who are visually impaired; although there are well-established standards set by WCAG 2.0 (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines). Although most e-commerce companies in India conform to these guidelines, as per the recommendations from the Indian government; however ironically; these are not accessible by the blind. OBJECTIVE: This paper specially focuses on the list of problems that the visually-impaired in India face while trying to access e-commerce sites, as most of the sites haven't conformed to the WCAG 2.0 guidelines. METHOD: Qualitative analysis through the Repertory technique by Kelly in which, the grid developed for different constructs addressing various problems faced by such users in accessing e-commerce websites. FINDINGS: From the findings, it is evident that these visually impaired people are extremely open to gaining access towards the companies' strategies, as they also want to be a part of the main segment of the society, and would in turn be a strong contributor to the profits of the companies, if they're taken seriously. The findings also have a series of managerial as well as social implications. CONCLUSION: Further, the study also looks at lending some suggestions through which, marketing managers would be able to look into this prevailing problem, and thereby address the same, while enhancing their level of engagement with this specially-enabled client base. This would result not only in adding profits to the business at large, but also ensure customer satisfaction and delight, albeit the fact that they're differently abled. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A three-dimensional (3D) laser printer that easily outputs any arbitrary tactile information has been developed for persons with deaf-blindness. The mechanism of the 3D laser printer is simply constructed with inexpensive linear motors and a semiconductor laser, achieving low cost and less noise compared to the mechanical braille printers, both of which are suitable for official and personal use. The 3D laser printer develops new dimensions in communication by (a) generating tangible letters, e.g., Moon and Kana letters for adventitiously blind persons to whom braille is too difficult, (b) generating braille letters of optimal size for each individual, and (c) producing tactual maps with multi-layer thickness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A three-dimensional (3D) laser printer that easily outputs any arbitrary tactile information has been developed for persons with deaf-blindness. The mechanism of the 3D laser printer is simply constructed with inexpensive linear motors and a semiconductor laser, achieving low cost and less noise compared to the mechanical braille printers, both of which are suitable for official and personal use. The 3D laser printer develops new dimensions in communication by (a) generating tangible letters, e.g., Moon and Kana letters for adventitiously blind persons to whom braille is too difficult, (b) generating braille letters of optimal size for each individual, and (c) producing tactual maps with multi-layer thickness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Identifying obstacles and potholes in the pathway of the visually impaired have received much attention. While much has been done on the detection of obstacles, in the design of electronic mobility aids, much more is needed to be done on the detection of holes and drop-offs, especially those that are affordable and hands-free. This paper therefore considers the development of a wearable electronic mobility aid. METHODS: The developed system is based on the multisensor fusion approach of detection which combined three techniques, namely: a source of laser light, a camera and an ultrasonic sensor. A red line generating laser source is used to project a straight line and this is captured by the camera. The red line is deformed differently on coming in contact with holes or standing obstacles. The pattern of deformation is then extracted for obstacle and pothole recognition. The visibility of laser light is greatly reduced when the scene is extremely illuminated, so this is complemented with edge detection. The edge detection uses edges in the identification of holes and obstacles. This is combined with ultrasonic sensing, so that the presence of obstacles can be differentiated from that of holes. The outcome of detection and the distance of obstacles from the blind are relayed via an audio cue. REDULTS: Its evaluation showed better performance compared to the guide cane. It showed a reduction in collision rate by 83.25% and reduction in falling rate by 84.62%. The device received good acceptability from the users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: One of the most serious concerns of parents, caregivers, teachers and therapists is children's independent living, particularly of those with special educational needs (SEN). Purpose-built programs for the acquisition of independent living skills are considered a priority in special education settings. The main problem is the inefficacy of detached interventions to meet the needs of as many students as possible. OBJECTIVE: Our response is to create transmedia applications for inclusive learning environments. To this end, we have taken a participatory design approach to develop a project for Daily Living Skills Training by combining special education pedagogies, filmic methods, game design and innovative technologies. In this paper, we present the design and development of Waking up In the Morning (WUIM), and its improvement through user-based and expert-based evaluations by students, therapists and developers. The main research purpose is to confirm if: (1) the final products of the WUIM project could be educational resources for students with SEN and (2) the common gaming experience could promote collaborative learning, regardless of students' cognitive profile. METHODS: During the alpha phase, we developed and improved WUIM. In July 2020, we implemented and evaluated WUIM in special education settings (beta-phase). More specifically, a quantitative and qualitative formative evaluation was conducted with children who have developmental disabilities (N = 11), their therapists (N = 7) and developers (N = 2). Methods of data collection included questionnaires filled in by therapists and developers, participant observation by researchers and interviews with children. RESULTS: The results of the formative evaluation were generally positive regarding four-factor groups that shape the learning experience: Content, Technical characteristics, User state of mind, Characteristics that allow learning. After the design team reviewed the potential users and experts' comments that were mainly related to the user interface, the application was improved. CONCLUSIONS: The two hypotheses have been largely confirmed. Overall, we propose a simplified development process that showcases the importance of arts-based methods and aesthetics which deliver representational fidelity. The study reveals the necessity of developing transmedia learning materials to meet each individual's needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper exploits an extensive quantitative case mapping to blend three strands of research: First, social innovation is considered as an approach to leverage inclusive societies. Secondly, ICT is understood as a means to empower people with activity limitations; and thirdly, the availability and accessibility of societal structures is regarded as a lens for investigating the permeability and inclusiveness of society. The analysed cases shed light on the phenomenon of "digital social innovation for inclusion" and allow first insights into their practice and characteristics. The paper illustrates a quantitative overview of the actors behind these initiatives, their structures and drivers and barriers. In conclusion, the phenomenon of "digital social innovation for inclusion" is described in contours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The Assistive Technology Service Method (ATSM) is an innovative evidence-based process standard to support the provision of person centered, evidence-based, and interdisciplinary assistive technology services. OBJECTIVE: This paper defines challenges with adoption of innovative practices and discusses strategies to diffuse the ATSM for training, education, and gathering knowledge. METHOD: Important central components for the diffusion of innovations are reviewed to include strategies for transferring the evidence into practice and other outcomes of the process. RESULTS: This paper discusses key issues and challenges to professional practice for assistive technology services, presents data on the current state of practice, and delivers strategies to promote innovative interventions and techniques. CONCLUSION: Strategies to implement the adoption of an interdisciplinary service delivery method must consider provider knowledge and awareness of need with development of tools for effective use of the innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Assistive technologies are playing a vital role in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. OBJECTIVE: The current paper presents the design and assessment of an "all-in-one" wearable solution incorporating location monitoring, scheduling, communication, and physiological parameters monitoring functionalities for children with autism and their families/carers. METHODS: Twenty high-functioning children and twenty-five parents participated in the research. The final application was assessed over a period of two months. A highly patient-centred design was followed by a multidisciplinary team of experts (experts in the field of special education, speech therapy, psychology, and informatics) with significant experience in children with autism. The evaluation took place in a real and open environment. All participants were administered the PYTHEIA questionnaire in order to assess the various characteristics of the platform. Pearson's Chi-squared test was used to examine the independence of the variables, with a statistical significance of 95%. RESULTS: The results support that the implemented features can effectively assist everyday life activities and facilitate the independent living of children with autism. The subjective evaluation of the solution revealed important considerations for further developments. Both groups of users (parents and children) were very satisfied with the implemented functionalities. The flexibility given by the PYTHEIA instrument was very important for the subjective assessment of the different functionalities of the solution. All examined axes were found excellent in terms of their adaptability in daily life activities. CONCLUSIONS: Real-world applications, able to run in an open and uncontrolled environment are critical for this population. PYTHEIA is a valuable instrument that supports the assessment of the device and application as a whole, as well as the evaluation of individual features and functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: A major concern that is being increasingly addressed in modern educational environments is the ability to present equal accessibility opportunities to students with neurodevelopmental conditions and disorders as for typically developing children. OBJECTIVE: The main objective of the paper is to employ innovative technological advancements merged with evidence-based practices in order to teach, improve and generalise social skills for children with neurodevelopmental disorders, specifically children with High Functioning Autism (HFA) as well as children with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). METHODS: The development of a personalized solution adapted to the needs of each student is proposed. The platform will be composed of three main modules (Content Management, Emotional Analysis and Personalization). The target group is students of the Primary Years Program and Middle Years Program. EXPECTED RESULTS: Improved communicational and interactional capability of people with disabilities and facilitate social innovation; more affordable technologies and products that support interactions for people with disabilities, and new generation of services that are highly adaptable and personalisable to individual contexts. CONCLUSIONS: In order to achieve the optimum output/result of the system the procedure need to be implemented and reviewed by all involved parties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Although a number of research studies on sensor technology for smart home environments have been conducted, there is still lack of consideration of human factors in implementing sensor technology in the home of older adults with visual disabilities. OBJECTIVE: This paper aims to advance knowledge of how sensor technology (e.g., Microsoft Kinect) should be implemented in the home of those with visual disabilities. METHODS: A convenience sample of 20 older adults with visual disabilities allowed us to observe their home environments and interview about the activities of daily living, which were analyzed via the inductive content analysis. RESULTS: Sensor technology should be integrated in the living environments of those with visual disabilities by considering various contexts, including people, tasks, tools, and environments (i.e., level-1 categories), which were further broken down into 22 level-2 categories and 28 level-3 categories. Each sub-category included adequate guidelines, which were also sorted by sensor location, sensor type, and data analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The guidelines will be helpful for researchers and professionals in implementing sensor technology in the home of older adults with visual disabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: This paper presents part of the work undertaken by the European Network for Technology Enhanced Learning in an Inclusive Society (ENTELIS) to respond to the need for bridging the digital divide. It is based on previous evidence of lack of digital skills of people with disabilities of all ages to effectively participate in the digital society. OBJECTIVE: The paper aims to present the results of an exploratory study conducted in different European countries in order to identify needs, barriers, opportunities and good practices. METHODS: Data collection included the collection of experiences and best practices, and interviews conducted with different groups of people with disabilities of all ages and other stakeholders in five countries. RESULTS: Results emphasize the vital role of ICT-AT for independence, social integration, educational success, employment opportunities, and overall quality of life, while there seems to be heterogeneity in the way technology is considered and utilized among various groups of PwD. A number of challenges and barriers for ICT-AT competence development are also identified. CONCLUSIONS: Considerations and suggestions for further research, for policy and for practice implications are discussed, mainly focused on reducing the abandonment of ICT-AT, on responding to user's heterogeneous needs and on strengthening facilitating factors for the acquisition of digital competencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]