Caring about others and the future is part of what makes us human, and it can be argued that improving the lives of people with disabilities improves the lives of all human beings. Most of what we do as a society for people with disabilities also improves life for others, and if we consider a person’s entire life, a disability of some kind will affect almost everybody at some point. This book, Assistive Technology: Shaping a Sustainable and Inclusive World, presents the proceedings of AAATE 2023, the 17th International Conference of the Association for the Advancement of Assistive Technology in Europe, held in Aubervilliers, France, from 30 August to 1 September 2023. For over 30 years, the biennial AAATE conference has focused on research aimed at improving the lives of people with a disability, and has become one of the main platforms for all stakeholders in the field. A total of 123 papers were submitted in the category intended for publication in these conference proceedings, and after a rigorous process involving review by at least three international reviewers, 74 were selected for inclusion here. Topics covered include service delivery of AT; AT for various groups such as older adults, children, and those with cognitive disabilities; mobility; privacy and security issues; and AT to promote inclusion and facilitate participation in education, culture, and work. Providing a comprehensive and current overview, the book will be of interest to researchers, practitioners, manufacturers, decision-makers and providers, users of AT, and anyone else working in the field.

In the 21st century Assistive Technology (AT) should be defined as a scientific and technologic approach to the development of products and services oriented to support the elderly and people with disabilities in their daily activities, maximizing their personal autonomy, independence, health and quality of life.

The field of assistive technology is influenced by the ongoing and rapid development of mainstream technologies on the one hand and continuing changes to social systems in relation to societal events - such as the ageing of the population - on the other. The articles in this book provide a broad overview of developments in technical support for people with functional restrictions: key technologies like telecommunications and IT are addressed, while low-tech practical solutions are also considered.

The papers in this book provide important content related to aging, disability and independence. The focus of these papers is on maintaining independence and active participation in family and community activities. As we age, we face chronic health conditions that have the potential to negatively impact our independence. By using technology (smart homes, robotics, telehealth, other assistive devices), maintaining our mobility, and preventing injuries we can offset much or all of the disabling effects of chronic health conditions. This publication brings together a mix of individuals focused on aging, disability and independence, including those involved in research and development, professional practice and services, businesses providing products and services, government and policy planners, and end users and beneficiaries of our research, products, services, and policies. The main topics in this publication are Smart Homes; Robotics; Telehealth; Home Modifications and Universal Design; and Assistive Devices and Workplace Adaptations.

An anthology that answers a need to understand design that supports the daily life of people with dementia. It intends to support the research and development around the topic of dementia in older people, which has stressed innovation, participation in the design process, as well as technical competence and the physical environment.

Proceedings van: Gerontechnology : international conference on technology and aging, 1st, Eindhoven, August 26-29, 1991.

The lives of people with disabilities are complex and various, and there are many situations where technology – particularly assistive technology – already makes a real difference. It is clear that smart phone and tablet computer based solutions continue to enhance the independence of many users, but it is also important that more traditional assistive technologies and services are not forgotten or neglected. This book presents the proceedings of the 14th conference of the Association for the Advancement of Assistive Technology in Europe (AAATE 2017) entitled: ‘Harnessing the power of technology to improve lives’, held in Sheffield, UK, in September 2017. This 4-day event about assistive technologies (AT) highlights the association’s interest in innovating not only technology, but also services, and addresses the global challenge of meeting the needs of the increasing number of people who could benefit from assistive technology. The 200+ papers in the book are grouped under 30 subject headings, and include contributions on a wide range of topical subjects, including aging well and dementia; care robotics; eHealth and apps; innovations; universal design; sport; and disordered speech. The breadth of the AAATE conference reflects people’s life needs and so the book is sure to contain something of interest to all those whose work involves the design, development and use of assistive technology, whatever the situation. The photo on the front cover illustrates the breadth of assistive technologies that can improve lives. Photographer: Simon Butler.