Achievements and Improvements in Assistive Technologies in Spain Based on Recommendations of the HEART Study (1995-2004)
By Poveda, Rakel; Barbera, Ricard; Garrido, David; Rodriquez, Cristina; Noya, Reyes; Garcia, J. Vidal; Valdominos, Virgina; Prat, Jaime; Assistive Technology: From Virtuality to Reality, Vol. 16, No. 1, pp. 169-173Publication Date: 2005
Paper focuses on the Horizontal European Activities in Rehabilitation (HEART) Study. A total of 21 research and information centers from 21 European countries, including the National Centre of Personal Autonomy and Technical Aid under the Institute of Migrations and Social Services and the University School of Computer Science of the Polytechnic University of Madrid in Spain participated in the study. All of the rehabilitation centers were evaluated in terms of six areas: (1) standardization and evaluation of products and services, (2) quality of the relationships between agents of the markets based on these products, (3) systems for the provision of accessibility and technical aids, (4) legal and socio-economic aspects related to technology usage, (5) specialized sectorial training, and (6) research, development, and innovation activities. These areas of assessment yielded a total of 134 recommendations that recognize that many of the needs of the groups include aggressive technological developments. The need for comprehensive changes in the technology market for people with disabilities is discussed.
Published by: IOS Press (Website:http://www.iospress.nl)
Association for the Advancement of Assistive Technology in Europe (AAATE) (Web Site: http://www.aaate.net )
Link to text: http://iospress.metapress.com/link.asp?id=w28q5qq0t4tjywqd
