Create-ive Projects Are the Green Shoots of a National Digital Assistive Technology Ecosystem

HSE’s CREATE fund allocates €2 million to improve access to digital assistive technologies for people with disabilities. 11 projects will be funded under the initiative. Projects aim to create a coherent digital assistive technology ecosystem, which will benefit users, employers and educators.

One key project is the AT (Assistive Technology) Passport, giving people with disabilities autonomy over their AT needs. Users of digital assistive technology (DAT) today welcomed the showcasing of 11 key projects which represent the green shoots of a much-needed assistive technology ecosystem in Ireland.

Digital assistive technology has the power to transform the lives of people with disabilities and older people and today users see the difference that joined-up thinking can make to their experience.

DAT is essential for many people with disabilities, enabling them to communicate, participate in education and employment and support them to live independently. However, ensuring success for users is about more than just providing the technology – it requires streamlining everything from funding, innovation and procurement to information provision, service provision and training.

Current service provision in Ireland is fragmented and inconsistent but centralising these elements will create an ecosystem of support which will ensure that services are as up-to-date and responsive as possible.

The 11 projects were funded by the HSE’s €2 million CREATE initiative, announced by Minister for Disabilities Anne Rabbitte earlier this year, and were showcased to a community called CHAT (Community Hub for Accessible Technology) today, by the advocacy partnership FreedomTech, a collaboration between the Disability Federation of Ireland and Enable Ireland.

CHAT is a 200-strong user-focused space where people can learn from each other and identify gaps and challenges in DAT.

Joan O’Donnell, FreedomTech Project Manager:

” For many, access to Digital Assistive Technology is the difference between being able to live independently, go to school or work and socialise. This funding and these projects mark the beginning of a transformation of DAT supports and services, where disabled people will have access to technology on par with everyone else.

FreedomTech has advocated for an ecosystem for Digital Assistive Technology for many years and this funding and these projects mark the beginning of green shoots for a coherent system that will ensure that nobody is left behind in our society.”

One of the projects showcased today, which will form part of that ecosystem of support, is the Assistive Technology (AT) Passport. Currently, under prototype development, the project is an initiative of Enable Ireland, in partnership with the Disability Federation of Ireland, St. John of God Community Services, Multiple Sclerosis Ireland and Headway Ireland.

This project will develop a prototype AT Passport, comprising a web portal and app, which will help AT users navigate the DAT system and access information and opportunities regarding the technologies they need and use.

The AT Passport will be owned by the person, supporting them through key transitions in their life and allowing them to have freedom of movement throughout their lives without fear of losing funding, IT supports, training or the DAT they use.

David Carter, who is supported by Saint John of God Community Services, had this to say about the AT Passport project:

“DAT is so important to me and the AT passport will be great because it will help me to access my files and information easier and that makes me feel excellent in myself – when I can do it myself. I feel prouder doing things with technology for myself.”

Oran O’Neill, sound engineer and audio description producer with RTÉ echoed the need for people to be in charge of their own DAT needs:

“As a blind person, I know that I couldn’t do my job without access to Digital Assistive Technology. Each of the CREATE projects is focused on the freedom, choice and support of people with disabilities.

They will also create a more coherent system that will benefit not only users of DAT, but also employers and educational institutions, ensuring that people with disabilities have access to the technology and funding required for us to fully participate and succeed.”

The recently-published Global Report on Assistive Technology found that, while access to DAT is a human right and the need for it is on the rise, the majority of those who need it do not have sufficient access. 1

Without a coherent DAT ecosystem, Ireland cannot realise the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and so this funding stream and these projects will also help to address gaps in the implementation of many government policies that aim to support citizens to participate fully in Irish society. Developing and resourcing Ireland’s DAT infrastructure could also provide a significant return on investment for both the State and the user.

Glenn Tookey, CEO of Sight and Sound Technology, the leading provider of Assistive Technology in Ireland, who has partnered with FreedomTech for the last three years, welcomed the move toward a comprehensive system of support for DAT users.

“We’ve been delighted to partner with FreedomTech and the CHAT community over the last few years to work towards improving the AT landscape.

FreedomTech has consistently advocated for a streamlined and comprehensive service for AT users and it’s great to see that coming to fruition. The result will be greater autonomy, choice and access to Digital Assistive Technology that can have such a positive impact on the lives of people with disabilities and older people.”