Assistive Technology (AT) versus Mainstream Technology (MST): The research perspective

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Emiliani, Pier Luigi

Affiliations: Institute of Applied Physics “Nello Carrara” (IFAC), National Research Council, Via Panciatichi, 64, 50127 Firenze, Italy. Tel.: +39 055 4235300; Fax: +39 055 4235286; E-mail: p.l.emiliani@ifac.cnr.it; WWW – http://www.ifac.cnr.it

Abstract: The emergence of the Information Society is creating a complex intelligent environment where all citizens have to live. Even if the final technological embodiment of this new environment has not been completely determined, the general lines of development that are at present being discussed suggest that the normal approach to the problems of integration of people with disabilities, based on the adaptation of already developed technology, is no longer tenable. Therefore, on the one hand, it is necessary to redefine the integration problems of people with disabilities on the basis of the foreseen characteristics of the emerging environment; on the other hand, a procedure needs to be defined whereby new technology is produced so as to be accessible without adaptations. The corresponding concepts are discussed in the paper, followed by a summary of activities already carried out to substantiate the presented conclusions.

DOI: 10.3233/TAD-2006-18104

Journal: Technology and Disability, vol. 18, no. 1, pp. 19-29, 2006