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Towards a global network of AT Centres Evert-Jan Hoogerwerf Emilia Romagna’s Regional Centre for Assistive Technology AAATE Conference, Vilamoura , 18/09/2013. Supported by : . Starting point. Implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
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Towards a global network of AT Centres Evert-Jan Hoogerwerf Emilia Romagna’s Regional Centre for Assistive Technology AAATE Conference, Vilamoura, 18/09/2013 Supportedby:
Startingpoint Implementationof the UN Convention on the RightsofPersonswithDisabilities -Articles on Accessibility and Assistive Technologies -Internationalcollaboration (art. 32) The roleof AT Centres?
History, Governance, Contributions • AT Centers Leadership Network launched as a G3ict Collaborative Program in 2012 • Members have to commit to Charter and Governance of Network • No financial contributions required from members (Coordination supported by G3ict) • In-kind contributions and hosting of meetings by members welcome • Industry and institutional observers supporting the networks mission invited to selected group activities
AT Centers Network Charter • Affirm the universality, indivisibility, interdependence and interrelatedness of all human rights and fundamental freedoms of Persons with Disabilities • Are committed to further the full implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities • Involve Persons with Disabilities in their organization • Seek to offer and implement Assistive Technologies solutions allowing Persons with Disabilities with a diverse range of needs to gain the greatest possible level of independence • Support the development of professional expertise • Proactively support policies and programs aligned with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in their respective countries • Lobby their governments and industry to implement the General Obligations relative to Assistive Technologies defined by article 4 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
AT Centers Network Members Are Centers that: • Are delivering services to persons with disabilities with diverse ranges of needs • Operate or are influential at a state-wide level • Operate with a dedicated organization and a governance including persons with disabilities • Are willing and able to share know-how, competences and intellectual resources • Serve or partner with multiple networks of organizations working with persons with disabilities in areas such as in education, workplace and rehabilitation
Objectives of the AT Centers Network • Share successful programs and practical experiences among leading AT Centers • Solicit feedback from stakeholders and provide input on policies and programs to policy makers implementing the CRPD • Benchmark progress made by States Parties in implementing CRPD policies related to Assistive Technologies • Explore leading-edge information and communication technology solutions, challenges and opportunities • Identify regional leaders and spokespersons to disseminate, share, and collaborate within a region
Areas of Peer Resources Sharing • Advisory, consulting and assessment practices • Training and professional development of staff • Managing ethical economic sustainability • Best practices in measuring impact • Compare and contrast models of mission implementation • Awareness and outreach • Support to innovation including Vendors and IT industry • Policy, advocacy and lobbying promoting ATs
Sharing Methods • Meetings at participating AT centers and/or at major AT or AT- related conferences • (ATIA 2012, CSUN 2012, ATIA 2013, AAATE 2013) • AT Centre network web space • Conference calls / audio conferencing
Founding Participants Founding AT Centres Mada- Qatar AT Center (lead) Emilia Romagna’s Regional Centre for Assistive Technology, (Italy) BarrierBreakTechnologies/Net Systems Informatics, (India) U.S. DOL / JAN Job Network Accommodation, (U.S.A.) Society for the Physically Disabled, (Singapore) Technosite (Spain) Other Centres involved GLIC Italian network of ICT-AT Centres, Enable Ireland, Fondazione Don Gnocchi (Italy), Temple University Philadelphia (USA) Supporting bodies G3ict, ATIA (U.S.A.), AAATE (E.U.) & RESNA (U.S.A.) Observers UN Committee on CRPD, Organization of American States, SEDPcD (São Paulo, Brazil), IBM Corporation, Microsoft, Adobe
Challenges • Getting more Centresinvolved • Makingexchangemeaningfull • Reflect on differences in models and strategies and valorisethese • Supportcompetencedevelopment in emergingcountries
Difficultiesencountered • Dedicatedresources • Economiccrises and reforms • Global dimension (timezones) • Addedvaluecomparedtoregionalnetworkingtobefurtherdemonstrated
Next Steps • Expression of interest to be sent to: fcesabianchi@g3ict.org or to hoogerwerf@ausilioteca.org • Availability for meeting during AAATE conference. • AT Centers Leadership Network web page: http://bit.ly/w9jOO4