The adapt European project: The transdisciplinary development of assistive technology for the benefit of the disabled people

Abstract

Ageing societies and the increase in chronic disabilities are irrevocable trends in the EU which usually result in a loss of autonomy and increased social isolation. Many people with complex disabilities face increased isolation due to loss of independent mobility because of difficulties of meeting the criteria for the provision of an Electric Powered Wheelchair (EPW) and the availability of an appropriate EPW. Several studies highlight the key role of innovative Assistive Technologies and smart EPW as effective tools to empower disabled people and improve social inclusion. Nevertheless, standardization, interoperability, limited involvement of users, lack of specialist training for health professionals and funding models are which impede the uptake of such innovations. Within this framework, a transdisciplinary consortium of French and English partners formed the 4 year ADAPT project, starting in May 2017. The aim of ADAPT is to overcome the barriers to the uptake of assistive technology. The ADAPT project aims to: - Develop two technologically mature innovative assistive technologies: * A smart EPW with driving assistance to compensate for user disabilities, to monitor and report changes users’ health through the internet. * A Virtual Reality EPW simulator platform. This will give the user an immersive experience of the smart EPW and train them to drive in everyday life. Professionals will assess the suitability of the EPW for particular patients and environments and gain understanding from the user perspective. - Develop training programs for healthcare professionals about innovative assistive technologies. - Formalize agreements between research institutions and companies ranging from local to international meetings, so as to boost R&D and facilitate the uptake of the ADAPT's results by the market. This presentation will provide an opportunity to share an overview of the ADAPT project: context, objectives and results.