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Our Global AT Effort...
 | | David Dikter, CEO ATIA |
Welcome to the second "Global" edition of Friends of ATIA. We're once again excited to share with you perspectives on the global reach of assistive technology (AT). As you read contributions from the G3ict (a UN initiative), Asia, Europe, Australia, and Ireland, I hope you'll be struck by what an exciting time this is for assistive technology (AT), even as we are confronting formidable challenges. More and more countries are adopting the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), which includes significant expectations for AT and inclusive Information Technology access (see CRPD Ratification News). And consequently efforts are growing to understand barriers and create access to education and to the plethora of new technologies that continues to grow in these countries (learn more from Nilofar Anshar and Evert-Jan Hoogerwerf below). I'm encouraged because we know that access to AT can be a great equalizer; it opens doors to education, which opens doors to academic and employment opportunities, which makes possible a challenge to present day societal norms. Indeed, AT has the power to help alter attitudes about human potential, capacity, and what it means to be a community.
For AT to achieve this feat, however, we have to collaborate with one another to support what I like to call "healthy AT ecosystems." By this I mean we have to help create environments conducive to the development and successful adoption of AT. After all, the needs around the world are pretty much the same; we know well from experience that AT hits a dead end without professional services, supports, trainers, and educators. Indeed, without the ecosystem, the technology itself will also fail to develop.
One serious obstacle we face to globalize AT devices serves as an "ecosystem" case-in-point. In some parts of the world the underlying technologies necessary to localize what we think of as common AT devices aren't yet created-- for example, speech engines. This is technology used in speech generating devices for augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). AAC devices cannot be localized to another language if speech engines have yet to be created to serve that language. And yet creating a speech engine may be only half the problem. AAC strategies that are effective for a particular language and culture must also be understood and incorporated. In short, AAC practitioners, and educators are as essential as the technology itself.
How can you help bring AT to the global community? One strategy is to create AT print resources that may be adapted by programs in other countries (read about Mada and Enable Ireland's effort to do just that in "The Employer's Guide to AT" below). And if you direct an AT center, consider lending your valuable experience to the global AT Center Leadership Network. This January the Network is meeting for a pre-conference event at ATIA Orlando ("AT Leadership Forum for AT Centers Around the World"). The forum is hosted by the Global Initiative for Inclusive Information and Communication Technologies (a flagship advocacy initiative of the United Nations Global Alliance for Technology and Development) to share best practices for the benefit of emerging programs. Read about their progress in this contribution by David Banes. I hope you'll join us.
Sincerely,
David Dikter, CEO ATIA
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One Billion and Counting...
A Message from ATIA Board President Daniel Hubbell  | | Daniel Hubbell |
According to The World Health Organization (WHO) there are more than one billion people living with disabilities in the world. That figure means that roughly 15% of the world's population is very likely to have difficulty using technology. If you also consider aging seniors, illiteracy rates, and environmental challenges, that percentage can increase to nearly 57% of the population, many of whom could benefit from some sort of assistive technology. Access to technology is clearly a global necessity and ATIA and its member companies are working hard to address this global need. Not only does ATIA membership reflect a diverse list of international countries, but many of the companies based in the US have a global reach with localization and distribution in markets around the world. We know that the globalization of the marketplace will continue to accelerate in the coming years and ATIA continues to explore opportunities to bring this global marketplace to our members, to the professionals in the industry, and to the individuals with disabilities who can benefit most by the transformative power of assistive technology. --Daniel Hubbell, ATIA Board President |
 Creating the AT Center Leadership Network
David Banes explains how this global network is sharing best practices and current challenges, and what is planned for January's forum in Orlando
 | | David Banes |
Building a network of Assistive Technology (AT) centers from across the world is a slow and steady task. The aim of the AT Center Leadership Network is simple: to support the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) through a series of practical measures to support and sustain established and emerging AT centers across the globe. Since the founding group met in Doha in 2011, and then again in Florida in January of 2012, small but significant steps have been taken. Two regional meetings have been held which link to the aims of the Network and set the stage for our next meeting planned for January at ATIA Orlando.
In Italy the Network supported the 30th Anniversary of Ausilioteca, the AT team of AIAS Bologna Onlus. The event was celebrated in September with a study day in Bologna that saw the participation of 220 people in the morning conference and 120 people in the afternoon's working groups. In attendance were many different AT stakeholders, including end users, AT centers, companies, and policy makers at the national and local levels. During his presentation with Professor Luc de Witte, Evert-Jan Hoogerwerf highlighted the Network as a good example of how the sum of collaboration and innovation should lead to impact and to the development of a sound AT infrastructure able to support the independence and contribution of persons with disabilities.
In Qatar a meeting was held in October of those involved in the provision of assistive technology from across the gulf. In attendance were representatives from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Oman. Members took the opportunity to share resources they had created, including Arabic open source software, fact sheets and information resources. They also identified specific projects for collaboration, such as developing a simple interface for Android handsets, symbol solutions for Arabic speakers, and the further translation and localization of information resources to be held in common.
For Orlando, the Network is developing a broad agenda. One important topic up for continued discussion is how best to accredit assistive technology professionals. The Network recognizes that there are some well established models already available, but these are not always readily accessible to different parts of the world, either because of cost or language barriers. A group of Network members are exploring an alternative model based on the skills, knowledge and competencies required of an effective assessor or adviser working in the field of assistive technology.
Another issue the Network will discuss is the growth in availability of smartphones and tablet PC's over the last two years, and how for many persons with disabilities, they are now the technology of choice for accessing the Internet. Centers face difficult decisions in selecting and recommending one type of device over another to meet a user's needs. Having identified a form factor, they must then consider issues around OS and available functionality, such as Flash support, availability of office applications etc. It is only at this stage that consideration of any available AT to enhance the platform, takes place. This trend has wide implications, as we note an increasing coalescence of device/OS/apps/content/AT around discrete vendor-driven ecosystems of access technologies. There is a risk that individual centers may become part of a one such ecosystem, and unable to offer a choice between and across platforms. How services respond to this challenge is critical to maintaining vendor neutrality, and hence centers as trusted intermediaries.
Also up for discussion will be an in-depth consideration of the Network's strategy. It can be argued that the only thing we, as centers, have in common is that we believe that access to technology is vital for the social and economic well-being of persons with disabilities. Beyond this we exist in very different contexts. As result, we will discuss the extent to which we should seek to influence services toward greater homogeneity, or we should embrace our diversity and the concept of many paths to one aim. It may yet prove to be the case that such different approaches are increasingly important to consider for all services as we seek to respond to that rapid change happening around us. Through understanding radically different approaches and perspectives, we may well find ways to innovate as we attempt to thrive on that chaos.
We hope that many will join us at the meeting in Florida. There is a lot to discuss, but importantly there is much that we can take away of value from each other.
--David Banes, CEO of Mada, the Assistive Technology Center in Qatar, and a co-founder of the AT Center Leadership Network. Learn more about the AT Leadership Forum for AT Centers Around the World planned for January 30th at ATIA Orlando.
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Progress Report on Global ICT Accessibility Now Available
 The G3ict publishes the second edition of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) Progress Report on ICT Accessibility, in cooperation with Disabled Peoples' International
More than 75% of ratifying countries report no or minimum levels of implementation of policies or programs promoting the accessibility of the information infrastructure
The 2012 CRPD Progress Report includes the latest data on 52 countries representing 77.4 percent of the World Population. The report offers disability advocates, governments, civil society and international organizations -- monitoring the progress of the implementation of the Convention by States Parties -- a unique benchmarking tool that collects data on country laws, policies, and programs pertaining to accessible and assistive Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) around the globe. All results are available cross-tabulated by region, level of income per capita of Human Development Index to facilitate benchmarking by advocates and policy makers.
The study indicates that significant deficits remain to set in place a foundation to promote ICT accessibility. For example:
- Only 36 percent of countries have a definition of accessibility which includes ICTs or electronic media in their laws of regulations compliant with the definition of accessibility in CRPD Article 9;
- While 71 percent of the countries have dispositions to consult persons with disabilities at large, only 16 percent have a mechanism to involve Disabled Persons Organizations (DPOs) in the design, implementation and evaluation of laws, policies and programs regarding ICT accessibility;
- Although 82 percent of the countries have a government body dedicated to persons with disabilities, and 62 percent have a government body solely dedicated to ICTs, only 31 percent of the countries have government funds allocated to programs in support of digital accessibility;
- Only 26.7 percent of States Parties mention having public procurement policies promoting accessible ICTs, meaning that the vast majority of States Parties continue to purchase equipment or services which may be inaccessible to persons with disabilities; and
In relation to the above, only 35.6 percent provide services to the general public, including through the Internet, in accessible and usable formats for persons with disabilities.
--Nilofar Anshar, online producer for the G3ict (the Global Initiative for Inclusive Information and Communication Technologies - an initiative of of United Nations)
Download the PDF version of the report from this
G3ict Resource Center Web page
Read the Press Release
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Australia, New Zealand and SE Asia: What's rocking our AT boat?
 | Barbara Landsberg
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Barbara Landsberg reflects on the changing AT landscape and how her company is responding to challenges faced by users, clients, geography, and their own bottom lineIt is interesting setting out to write an article about what is uniquely happening in the world of assistive technology (AT) in Australia, New Zealand and SE Asia. With the impact of globalization, the trends affecting our countries will be the very same as those affecting many other regions of our increasingly flattened world. These trends include: - Increased rate of convergence of assistive and mainstream technologies;
- The rise and rise of the iPad within special education and AAC communities;
- Concomitant "app frenzy" with an initial shift away from considered student and task-focused technology purchase decisions;
- Individual consumers becoming more actively involved in AT development with apps having significantly lowered the previously prohibitive cost barriers to entry;
- Slowed rate of upgrades and new releases of tools in "traditional" AT areas of specialised hardware and software;
- Falling sales of these traditional AT tools resulting in several longstanding AT resellers having to close their doors;
- Increased innovation around AT-focused iOS apps and hardware accessories to improve the accessibility of the iPad for students with physical disabilities;
- Increased innovation around cloud-based software and resources available on subscription bases;
- Beginnings of the BYOD trend in mainstream schools but not so much to date in special education;
- Exponential growth of social media forums for building valuable AT and special education Professional Learning Networks.
So what are we doing in Australia and surrounds to respond to these trends? Spectronics' role as a reseller of assistive technologies continues to be an important service as our customers prefer the option of local technical support and guidance. Many schools and disability support organisations still do not allow purchasing from companies based overseas. Again, as globalization moves apace, this may not continue to be an issue for them in the longer term. In addition to our AT sales and support roles, Spectronics' team of speech pathologists, occupational therapists and teachers have significantly expanded their training and consultancy roles. This service has been very much valued by customers as government funding for dedicated AT adviser positions is being cut back in most areas. The resources developed by the team and made available for free on the Spectronics Blog have proved very popular - with the vast majority of visits to the site coming from the USA! By adding in a fee-for-service model, the team is now able to respond to many more requests for assistance with selecting and successfully implementing the best tools for students with disabilities and diverse learning needs. With the first question often being, "Which is the best app for ..?" and no income available through app sales, it was not possible to continue to offer this much needed advice and support free of charge. This service also allows for discussion of measured technology selection strategies, such as use of the SETT framework, app selection rubrics, and consideration of traditional options as part of a balanced toolkit. This helps to counter the sole focus on iPads and apps as solutions (which is, thankfully, now easing). We also found that our contacts needed more support than our own team was able to deliver face-to-face over such a wide geographic territory. To address this issue, the team is now producing videos and supporting resources to help make sense of the many app and technology choices available. These resources are available through Spectronics Online subscriptions. Finally, Spectronics helps to lift the profile of AT across our region by hosting the biennial Inclusive Learning Technologies Conference in Australia. It is now the largest educational technology conference in our part of the world, which is a pretty cool achievement for a conference focused on support of students with disabilities and diverse learning needs! Many of our delegates cannot afford to travel overseas to attend AT conferences, so Spectronics brings presenters and suppliers from the international AT world to them for four days. You may even wish to join us in May 2014 to experience the AT world of Australia, New Zealand and SE Asia face-to-face. You would be very welcome! --Barbara Landsberg, OT, MBA, is sales and marketing director for Spectronics Inclusive Learning Technologies(Australia and New Zealand)
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The State of AT in Europe
 Evert-Jan Hoogerwerf provides an overview of barriers to and progress for advancing AT in EuropeEurope, nowadays, is fighting its battle against the financial and economic crises. Economies of countries such as the UK, Italy, and Spain are in recession and the existence of different views on approaches to reduce the debts of the member states, and to launch the economies, are challenging the very idea of a further European integration. Many governments have not been able to avoid cutting deep into the existing welfare systems. This means that AT services and other provisions for persons with disabilities in many countries are under constant pressure, as well as budgets for research and development. As a consequence, the AT industry suffers too. The difficulty of the moment is part of a wider scenario that presents some significant barriers for the advancement of AT in Europe, advancement that the Association for the Advancement of Assistive Technology in Europe (AAATE) defines as "an increasing percentage of persons with activity limitations hav[ing] access to AT and effectively us[ing] appropriate assistive technologies." Some of these barriers are well known. There are important legal, administrative, economic, and cultural differences between the various states, which lead to different commitments and fragmented markets for AT devices. Service delivery systems are different and not always efficient, intertwined as they are with traditional public health and social care systems that have difficulties getting rid of rusty models of disability. In many countries there is a lack of attention or awareness among policymakers, only partially justified by the lack of evidence produced by AT providers and the research community. Nevertheless there are important developments and initiatives that are moving in the direction of a brighter future. Just to name a few: - The European Union and representative organizations such as the European Disability Forum and the European Association of Service Providers for People with Disabilities are strongly committed to the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) which contains many articles that explicitly refer to the obligation to provide access to information and services on AT.
- Many studies highlight the role that technology can have in finding a new trade-off between universality, quality, and sustainability in health and social care.
- The recently launched European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Aging (in which industry, service providers, and regional authorities collaborate) is expected to boost independent living solutions including assistive technologies and services.
- The AAATE is growing steadily with members in more than 25 countries, and is becoming a multidisciplinary pan-European player, offering a platform for exchange and networking to researchers, providers, companies, and education.
- A recent AAATE position paper provides a valuable contribution to the debate on the next steps in the development of AT service delivery in Europe.
- There are important initiatives among small AT companies to collaborate in order to reach larger markets.
- Although in some countries AT resource centers have closed down for budgetary reasons, in other countries they are getting stronger. An example is Italy, where the Association of Independent AT Centers GLIC plays an increasingly important role in responding to people's need for independent advice with choosing appropriate technologies.
- The lack of information on AT products is addressed by EASTIN (European Assistive Technology Information Network), a multilingual information portal that will soon re-launch with more information, more languages, and more facilities.
- Accessibility and Universal Design are advancing thanks to important networks, projects, and expertise centers across Europe.
Nevertheless the wish list is still long. AT and ethics has only been marginally addressed so far, which does not mean that the systems in place are unethical but concepts like choice and self determination are often just not explicated . Although there are some initiatives to boost AT education, much more still has to be done, and Europe is far away from a shared educational program and accreditation standards for AT professionals. In order to feed policy making, more evidence has to be produced, especially on the impact of AT on the quality of life of people and its social and economic benefits. Many people at this side of the Atlantic fear that a further European integration will reduce their levels of welfare or water down their ancient values and cultures. Although understandable, these fears should not prevent the AT community in Europe from striving for equal access for all persons with disabilities--no matter their gender, race or ethnic origin--to enabling technologies and related services. After all, this is an aim that we probably all have in common! Evert-Jan Hoogerwerf of Italy's Emilia Romagna's Regional Centre for Assistive Technology is president-elect of the Association for the Advancement of Assistive Technology in Europe (AAATE) |
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CRPD Ratification News
What does the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities have to do with assistive technology (AT)?The CRPD makes the failure to provide "reasonable accommodation" an act of discrimination. It also specifically requires the promotion of accessible information about AT, and the research and development of AT and accessible information and communication technology (ICT). It requires States to provide accessible ICT on par with the built environment and transportation, and it requires training for professionals and staff working with individuals with disabilities. How many countries have ratified, and where is the U.S. in that process?To date 154 nations have signed the CRPD and 126 have ratified it. The U.S. signed the CRPD on July 30, 2009, but as of this writing, has yet to ratify. Last May the Obama administration submitted the CRPD to the U.S. Senate for its advice and consent for ratification. In response, a bipartisan group of seven senators (John McCain [R-AZ], Dick Durbin [D-IL], Jerry Moran [R-KS], Tom Harkin [D-IA], John Barrasso [R-WY], Chris Coons [D-DE] and Tom Udall [D-NM]) issued a press release in support. With the return of Congress this week (Nov. 13), disability advocates and many others are urging members of their communities to contact their senators and express support for ratification (emphasizing that the CRPD will not change U.S. laws). Ratification requires a Senate super-majority (two-thirds in support or 67 senators). Read the full text of the CRPDTrack ratification progress around the world |
The Employer's Guide to AT: Yours to Localize!
Mada, the assistive technology (AT) center in Qatar, and Enable Ireland have created a downloadable guide to AT for employment, and are making it available free to any AT center for localizing. The guide is available in both English and Arabic versions, and is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial.
From the Creative Commons Web site:
Attribution-NonCommercial
CC BY-NC
This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon your work non-commercially, and although their new works must also acknowledge you and be non-commercial, they don't have to license their derivative works on the same terms.
"The aim," notes Mada's CEO David Banes, "is to provide a core resource that can be 'flavored' as communities require."
Banes has been at the forefront of the effort to create an AT Center Leadership Network to share resources, knowledge, and best practices among AT centers around the world. With this guide, Mada and Enable Ireland set the example: create your resources so that others may localize and adopt them, and help AT gain global traction.
"Enable Ireland is delighted to have partnered with Mada to publish this Employer's Guide to AT," remarks Siobhan Long, manager of Enable Ireland's National AT Training Service. "For employers, ready access to appropriate information on the benefits of AT in the workplace can make a real impact on their ability to support employees--whether new recruits, employees who acquire a disability or, significantly, those at risk of acquiring a work related injury such as Repetitive Strain Injury. AT really is a tool for all, and we hope that this guide may go some way towards increasing its profile and effectiveness in employment."
The Employer's Guide to AT provides information on commercial, open-source, and built-in assistive technology options, and covers solutions for sensory and physical impairments, print-disabilities, and issues of ergonomics. It explains what assistive technology is, provides a business case for AT, and discusses implementation. It was first published in November of 2011.
Download the Employer's Guide to AT (English docx).
A version of this article first appeared in this October 2012 edition of AT Program News. |
ATIA UPDATES:
Get Ready for Orlando!
The ATIA Orlando conference is fast approaching. With 2,500+ attendees, approximately 10-15% of whom are from outside the US, it is a highlight of the global AT circuit. This year is no exception with many international exhibitors and speakers already signed up for the conference.
Exhibitor Listing: Check out the latest Exhibitor Listing with exhibitors from Canada, China, Denmark, Germany, Japan, Sweden and the UK as well as many new exhibitors from around the US. Education Program: Speakers are coming from as far afield as Austria, Australia, Canada, Italy, Germany, Great Britain, Korea, Netherlands, Qatar, Sweden and of course the US to share their experiences, best practices, and programs. Check out the online Session Directory with details of 300+ educational sessions searchable by strand, speaker, and keyword. Pre-Conference Seminars: There are 20 pre-conference seminars this year (October 29th and 30th, some are both days) -- review the full listing at this ATIA Web page. Two pre-conference seminars that may be of particular interest to our global audience are: Registration: the Advance Registration rates deadline is Nov. 16th! Register now to obtain $25 in savings. NEW THIS YEAR! Conference Recording Option - view from home or work a selected suite of "Top Ten" recorded conference sessions. Cost is $300 for a single viewer (there are also 5 and 10 pack options -- all are inclusive of CEUs!). Psssst: FALL SPECIAL - FOR THE "EXTRA EARLY" BIRDS!! Use Discount Code: CFR5 when registering before November 30th to receive a 5% discount. Register Online |
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ATIA Webinar Series News
Upcoming Webinars Only two more live broadcast remain in the 2012 series! Nov. 19, 2012: Join assistive technology (AT) and reading expert Scott Marfilius for AT12-WEB28: Reading Comprehension - Part Two: Technology Strategies on How to Develop Confident, Eager, and Fluent Readers using Technology. Dec. 3rd, 2012 (rescheduled): Join internationally renown AT consultant Kelly Fonner for AT12-WEB27: Implementing AAC in the Classroom Register online The 2013 Webinar Series is currently under development and will be announced online in early December. ATIA's archive of on-demand (previously recorded) webinars continues to grow! There are now over 45 on-demand webinars available for 24/7 viewing. Browse the On-Demand Webinar Archives. Looking for group access to on-demand or live broadcasts? The ATIA Webinar Subscription Program offers substantial savings for teams, school districts or regional agencies looking to plan ahead for their AT professional development. Subscription Level (A) provides 40 seats and Level (B) provides 100 seats. Depending on the level you choose, your discount can range from 20% to 55% off the price of individual webinars. See how teams in Indiana and Texas are using the webinar subscription program. |
ATIA included in ODEP ATAC $950,000 Award
On October 1st the U.S. Department of Labor announced an award of a $950,000 grant to the Rehabilitation Engineering & Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) to establish the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP)'s Accessible Technology Access Center (ATAC). This center will be a national resource that will facilitate and promote the use of accessible technology in the hiring, employment, retention and career advancement of individuals with disabilities.
The Accessible Technology Action Center will expand access to information and communication technologies in the workplace for persons with disabilities. It will promote the knowledge, technical skills, tools, and leadership strategies needed to address accessibility issues and seek to raise awareness of the impact critical accessible workplace technologies have on competitive employment opportunities.
To assist in carrying out the ambitious scope of work under this initiative, RESNA is partnering with nationally and internationally renowned entities and experts in the field of accessibility and disability. ATIA is proud to be included in this network of partner organizations.
The grant announcement coincides with National Disability Employment Awareness month, which is every October. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, individuals with disabilities currently comprise over 20% of the labor force. For more statistics and information about the employment of persons with disabilities, visit ODEP's Web site.
In March of this year, ATIA signed a Strategic Alliance with ODEP to disseminate effective practices and provide expertise regarding Assistive Technology (AT) and Information & Communications Technology (ICT) accessibility strategies that advance the employment of persons with disabilities.
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Welcome AMAC!
Announcing ATIA's Newest Alliance Partner
AMAC is an initiative of the Board of Regents University System of Georgia. Its purpose is to remove barriers for individuals with disabilities in academic and workplace environments through the use of technology. AMAC researches and develops products and services: it promotes publisher accessibility through national initiatives; provides accessible document conversion to electronic, audio or braille formats; offers captioning and remote transcription services; develops software (including specialized assistive technology software), and deploys office management, tracking, and reporting systems. AMAC operates grants, contracts, memberships, and fee-for-services throughout the United States as well as abroad.
AMAC is excited to join with ATIA as a new Alliance Partner. "AMAC is constantly working with vendors and experts to further our vision of a universally designed world of tomorrow," notes AMAC Director Christopher Lee, "where all people have equal access to education, work, and life. That vision helps us clearly see the accessibility barriers that exist today and provide the practical solutions to overcome them. We commend ATIA's dedication to furthering opportunities for individuals with disabilities with the assistance of advancing technologies."
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Our Next Theme is
"What I Learned in Orlando..."
 Contact me if you have a program, initiative, or event you would like our 15,000+ subscribers to know about. For this next edition, we're especially interested in experiences, connections, and revelations made at ATIA Orlando 2013!
Submissions should aim for between 300-500 words. Send your article to newsletter@atia.org by February 7th, 2013 (editing support is provided). Thanks for helping to make this newsletter such an interesting space.
--Eliza Anderson, managing editor Friends of ATIA newsletter
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