Ireland’s First Ever Assistive Technology Library

A consortium comprising the National Rehabilitation Hospital, Enable Ireland National Assistive Technology Training Service, the NCBI, the Assistive Communications Technology Officers Network and the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association, who together represent in excess of 20,000 service users, has been awarded funding by POBAL (Enhancing Disability Services scheme for social inclusion) to establish and run the web-based library of electronic assistive technology (EAT) and to provide a forum for education, training and networking in this area.  The launch has been arranged in conjunction with the Communication Matters Roadshow who will hold a range of workshops in communication technology solutions in Croke Park on the day.

Research shows that 75% of assistive technology is abandoned due to the lack of training and the portal aims to address this issue by working with training providers, carers and users alike to, not only provide access to AT, but access to education, training and networking to maximise the benefits of AT to users.  As the website goes live - members will be able to borrow electronic aids, to allow themselves and their users assess and try out a range of assistive technology before recommending purchase.

Read it all here.

Published on May 27, 2008

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