Quick links
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Access-IT launched succesfully
Access-IT concept was launched succesfully this year with the organisation of the Access-IT Awards Ceremony, where more than 100 high level actors involved in the areas of disability and ICT attended the event from all over Europe.
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Photos of 2008!
view and download photos from the 2008 Ceremony.
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expression of interest form
If you wish to receive updates, invites to events, assist ACCESS-IT or Sponsor ACCESS-IT, please fill in the following form to let us know.
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contact us
For any further information, details or comments please contact us on.
- e-ISOTIS
- tel: +302102693760
- AbilityNet
- tel: 0800269245 (UK Only)
- tel: +441926312847
2008 Sponsors
Home Page
The Vision behind the Dream
ACCESS-IT considers that a person with a disability can in principal receive an education (using mediums such as e-learning, audio books), gain employment (including tele-work or working with the support of assistive technology), complete standard tasks (like filling tax/bank forms paying online) and of course socialise (find and talk with friends, being another person, at Second Life or playing a life simulation game such as Sim City) in some cases using just a PC and a good Internet connection.
Today there are some people with disabilities that are actually doing all these, however, not all people with disabilities can enjoy such benefits.
Some of the current barriers to using AT and/or ICT may include the following:
- Non Accessible Technology, (non accessible websites, non accessible software and hardware)
- Technology difficult to Use (lack of proper training, non-usable equipment)
- Technology too expensive to afford (some of the technology is very expensive and almost impossible to afford without state funds)
- Lack of awareness (People are not aware of the prospects of ICT and the existence of ICT tools and services that can actually help to overcome their barriers)
- Lack of willingness (Some people just refuse to change their way of life and "bother" in trying some other practices based on ICT, since they don’t believe in it)
Our Concept
Therefore, our ACCESS-IT concept aims to counter balance these above facts by:
- Making people aware of existing ICT, products and services that serve the lives of disabled and elderly and how they can exploit them
- Making people to believe in Accessible ICT and Assistive Technology by promoting good ICT practices and realize that is one of the main means for better life with quality
- Recognising efforts made by the ICT and AT Industry, disability community and policy makers for making services and products affordable, usable that address really the needs of disability or elderly community.
The ACCESS-IT group is now looking to hold the following events:
- Award Ceremony (2009)
- Exhibition/Trade Show (2009)
- Conference and Seminars (2009)
All of the above will have as first aim to promote usable, affordable and needed AT developments and solutions that serve the lives of people with disabilities and elderly.
ACCESS-IT is a joint initiative between two non profit organisations e-ISOTIS (www.e-isotis.org) and AbilityNet (www.abilitynet.org.uk) with common aim to promote better life of people with disabilities and elderly via the use of ICT.