Conference topics
A number of different fields of knowledge are linked to ICT supporting personal autonomy of people with functional limitations. Multidisciplinary research works on accessibility and user experience will be highly appreciated. The following list is not aiming to be exhaustive, but to reflect some of the topics that will be part of DRT4ALL 2011
Technologies and Information & Communication Access Services
Interfaces and developed techniques in order to facilitate the access to the information of numeric or traditional technologies. Adaptation of mobile devices to guarantee accessibility to all users. Development and implementation of automatic restructuring of information intelligent programmes that provides intelligent and autonomous access. Accessibility of e-books. Specified services concerning to the sociologic dimension, public and private, ethic aspects.
Human–computer interaction
New proposals leading to more accessible and usable ICT products and services for people with different abilities and preferences, who use them in different contexts. Conference will focus on innovative methodologies, design, standards, multimodality enablers, adaptation, developments, evaluation techniques, ICT architecture, etc. resulting in an improved user experience for everyone.
Assistive Technologies
Assistive technologies enable people with functional limitation to perform tasks that they were formerly unable to accomplish, by providing enhancements and/or new methods of interacting with the technology. They constitute a complementary approach to Universal Accessibility as they should provide compatibility with ICT products and services and overcome barriers in the design of these technologies. In words of the European Commission “Industry needs to take on board the principle of Design for All, encouraging the development of products and services which meet the requirements of the widest possible range of users and uses, as well as products which interact seamlessly with assistive devices to support independent lives for disabled people”.
Telecare
A shift of paradigm in social and health models is pushing for a gradual transfer of hospital and institution based services to the primary care, home and personal environments. From the point of view of providing support to the independent living, different types of services can be provided to end users as well as to formal and informal carers: electronic assistive technologies, personal monitoring, management of home alarms, communication services, etc. These services are in the need of realistic, comprehensive organizational and business models where different stakeholders are duly considered.
Digital Homes and Ambient Assisting living
Digital homes are considered as accessibility tools, contributing to improve personal autonomy and quality of life by easing the access to domestic devices and to external support resources. Furthermore, proactiveness of digital homes is being gradually enhanced through the application of artificial intelligence techniques. Different technology areas are involved, including sensors and actuators, buses and protocols, middleware and multi-agent architectures, gateways, etc. Methodological frameworks for designing and assessing human factors aspects are essential to ensure that users’ needs and preferences are met.
Applied robotics for personal autonomy
The progress of personal autonomy is linked to the availability of products and services that compensate certain functional limitations. The evolution robotic based systems, remote control, prosthesis, orthesis, is a key factor in the improvement of autonomy and social inclusion of all citizens.
Transport for all
Means of transport are essential for the inclusion of all citizens in today’s society. Being able to attend to the school, university, get to the work place by private or public means of transport is essential for the existing models of cities. Therefore to provide technologies, products and services of transport that guaranty equal opportunities in its use is a transversal factor of quality.