Access For All

The First International Conference on Universal Technology will be held May 19 – 20, 2010 at Oslo University College in the heart of Oslo, Norway. The conference addresses all issues related to universal access, including universal design of computing systems, the evaluation of such systems, guidelines, legislature, training programmes, research results and overall best practices and experiences.
Topics of interests include, but are not limited to:
– Universal technology
– Accessible interaction techniques
– Universal design process
– Policy, standardization and guidelines
– Acceptance and competence building

Important dates:
– Paper deadline: January 15
– Author notification: February 15
– Camera ready paper: April 1

More information on the event website.

Having received many requests from readers regarding databases of AT (Assistive Technologies), we would like to refer to the European Assistive Technologies Information Network (EASTIN). EASTIN established a trans-European Assistive Technology Information Network for people with disabilities. The network is based on the experience and know-how of major national information systems currently in operation in 7 countries, and created the biggest, most comprehensive information service on assistive technology (AT) serving older and disabled people, their families and carers across the globe.
Link to access the EASTIN database.

The 2010 Euro-Africa Cooperation Forum on ICT Research is organised by the EuroAfrica-ICT FP7 project under the aegis of the AUC and the EC under the ICT theme of its FP7. This event – a follow-up of the highly successful one held in Brussels, Belgium in March 2009 – aims at promoting and supporting the development of Euro-Africa cooperation on ICT research between sub-Saharan Africa, the Caribbean and Europe. 200 delegates are expected to attend this 1-day Forum — among them: ICT experts, policy and decision makers, heads of stakeholder institutions and international organisations, academia from sub-Saharan Africa, the Caribbean and Europe, together with high-level representatives from the AUC and the EC.
Addressed thematic areas are e.g. ICT for independent living & e-Inclusion & e-Accessibility.

The ePractice eInclusion factsheets aim to provide an overall picture of the situation and progress of eInclusion in 34 European countries: EU Member States, EU Candidate countries and EFTA countries. You can download individual country reports at this page.

The 4th European eAccessibility Forum “eAccessibility of Public Services in Europe” will take place in Paris (France) on 12 April 2010. It will provide a unique opportunity to discuss the complementary aspects involved in making this objective a reality in Europe. It will provide an opportunity to hear at first-hand about experiences from users with disabilities, public organisations and industry. The speakers are specialists involved in organisations representing users and consumers with disabilities, research organisations and companies operating at a European level or worldwide. The conference will also consider the harmonisation of good practices over Europe.
More information as well as registration form.

120 national and international experts will discuss the state of the art on Ageing and Technology from 2010-03-23 to 2010-03-25 in Vechta, Lower Saxony, Germany. Organized by the Lower Saxony Research Network “Design of Environments for Ageing”, the conference aims at researchers in gerontology and geriatrics, computer scientists, technicians, sociologists, economists and psychologists working in the field of “Ageing and Technology” or “Ambient Assisted Living”.
Prof. Sabine Koch (Karolinska Institute, Stockholm) will give the keynote presentation entitled “Healthy ageing supported by technology – an interdisciplinary research challenge” on Tuesday. Dr. Paul Timmers (ICT for Inclusion, European Commission) will give a lecture on the political framework and European goals for ICT and inclusion on the second day. Don’t miss the chance to discuss with our speakers and guests. The full program and speaker list can be taken from the attached conference invitation.
The conference will be hosted by the University of Vechta, located in the “Oldenburger Münsterland” between the cities of Bremen, Oldenburg and Osnabrück. The number of participants is limited – make sure you reserve your place in time. For further information please see the conference invitation.
Download here the conference invitation.