Previous EU rtd research
activities
There has been during the last ten years many initiatives in which
the EU has provided an added value to research in Member States in order
to improve the participation of people with disabilities in society as active
citizens and consumers.
The Community Technology Initiative for Disabled and Elderly people (TIDE)
The needs of disabled people have been considered in a comprehensive way by the TIDE initiative (Technology Initiative for Disabled and Elderly) launched in 1991. Over the period 1991-1994 60 MECUs have been allocated to TIDE. Twenty one technology and development projects were funded. The technical areas selected for the pilot action were: control technology, including environmental control systems, powered wheelchairs, robotic aids; communication technologies comprising terminals and signal processing for applications such as alarm systems and hearing aids; integrated system technologies including smart houses and navigation systems', manufacturing techniques such as the application of CADICAM to the manufacture of orthoses and prostheses. In addition a major study on areas of importance (such as standards and testing, legal and economic factors) to the creation of a Single Market in rehabilitation technology was carried out.
The following phase of TIDE known as the bridge phase had an emphasis on technology application and promotion with a view to the creation of a single market in Assistive Technology in Europe. This phase of TIDE had 42 MECU of Community funding and supports 55 technology projects and studies (over the period 1994 to 1997). Projects and studies cover the following application domains – Access to technology and related services, Life at home and remote care, Mobility and transportation, Restoration and enhancement of function, User and market issues
The Telematics Applications programme (1994~1998)
The Telematics Applications programme has been one the 19 specific programmes of the 4th RTD Framework Programme. It dealt with RTD applications of information and/or communication technologies in areas of societal interest. One of its sectors deals explicitly with RTD for disabled and elderly people. Activities are grouped under two lines.
The first is Access to technology and services, comprising three areas: Access to Information and Communications technologies; Integrate systems supporting the activities o independent living, education, work, leisure mobility and training; information an (Communication systems for enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of service, supporting independent living.
The second line of activities concerned compensation for functional disability and enhancement of capabilities, which comprised two areas: applications of manipulation and control technology; Technology supporting assessment, restoration and enhancement of function.
ACTS (Advandced Communication Technologies and Services)
In the RACE programme the emphasis has been on determining the needs of older people and people with disabilities with respect to the design of the broadband telecommunications networks of the future. A number of different activities have contributed to this goal. Market studies of disabled and elderly people have alerted the sector actors to this large and growing market; A number of investigations have considered prototype advanced services such as videophony for monitoring and rehabilitating the social lives of elderly people; New telecommunications terminal architectures have been investigated with regard to their adaptability to accommodate the various types of input and output devices to meet the needs of different disability groups. In the successor programme, ACTS (Advanced Communication Technologies and Services) being carried out under the IV Framework programme, the needs of disabled users with regard to mobile communications are being assessed and new services are being trailed.
ESPRIT: (European Strategic Programme of Research in Information Technology).
In the second and third Framework programmes the major emphasis has been on the needs of disabled and elderly people in the'smart house' or home of the future and the special adaptations that might be needed to accommodate such users. In the IV Framework programme a project is being carried out on advanced hearing aids test tools with the aim of introducing modern test techniques for hearing aids as well as a project addressing the development of artificial limbs interacting directly with the human nervous system.
BIOMED: (Biomedical and Health Research)
BioMed 1, under the third Framework Programme (1990-1994), was focused on human biology and medicine with an emphasis on co-ordination of national research through concerted actions. Following calls for proposals, BioMed 1 established research networks in a number of areas concerned with the ageing process and handicaps, age-related health problems, health services research etc. The BioMed 2 programme in the 4th Framework Programme (1994-1998), also included funding of shared cost RTD projects on relevant topics:
- Biomedical technology and engineering - Development of tools, which contribute to the rehabilitation, replacement or restoration of human function (topics such as development of artificial organs, implants, and artificial neural networks). Developments in cellular engineering in order to make cellular biology results transferable to patient care (topics such as interaction between cells and mechanical, magnetic and electrical energy, biological materials and bioartificial organs, tissue engineering, neuronal interfacing).
- Brain research aimed at understanding the functions of the brain and the basic mechanisms underlying mental and neurological diseases integrating molecular, cellular and clinical approaches.
- Chronic diseases, ageing and age related diseases (topics such as aetiology, including environmental aspects, and treatment of chronics diseases such as chronic arthritis, diabetes mellitus, respiratory problems).
- Public health research, including health services research.
In addition to supporting RTD within the EU, the CEC supports cooperation between researchers in the EU and non-EU countries through a range of initiatives such as financing workshops, meetings etc. One such initiative is the COST (Cooperation Europeenne dans le domaine de la recherche Scientifique et Technique) .
Three main COST Actions are described here which are of interest in the context of people with disabilities. The first, COST 219 entitled Future Telecommunications and Tele-Informa tics Facilities for Disabled and Elderly People, started in 1986. It aims to promote research which facilitates access by elderly and disabled persons to telecommunications and teleinformatics and which identifies means by which these technologies can support such users in their activities of daily life. The work of COST 219 has made a significant contribution to highlighting the needs of older people and people with disabilities within the context of developments in ICT.
COST 322 - Low Floor Buses, which started in 1993 and has already published its final report. The key objective has been to gather information on current European operating experience of low floor buses, including research data and carefully monitored trials, in order to draw up guidance on best practice. The aim is to help those countries currently running low floor buses to derive maximum benefit from such services; to enable those countries contemplating introducing low floor buses to minimise risks and maximise the benefits by countries where no decisions have yet been made. The Action’s final report includes: definition of the LFB system concept, which specifies minimal functional requirements, outlines market targets and requires integration into the transport system advice compatible with the existing European regulations on vehicle design features and safety issues and recommendations on infrastructure design, including access to bus stops, boarding and alighting, information to users and safety operating staff and users’ training requirements guidance on marketing and implementation to improve decision-making by local authorities, transport operators and public transport financing authorities, as well as information on investment and operating costs of LFB, extracts from surveys which illustrate initiatives in several European countries, reflecting the various LFB options. Where implemented, LFB systems improve passengers’ accessibility, safety and comfort and make local public transport services more attractive.
COST
335 - Passengers Accessibility of Heavy Rail Systems,
relates to the accessibility of rail systems to older people and people with
disabilities. The main objective of the action is to provide guidance for
governments and railway operators on best practice in achieving full
accessibility to their services and facilities. The action will address both
technical and economic issues and in particular, the extent to which totally
independent access can be achieved. Secondly, objectives will include the
raising of awareness among train operators of the actual and potential size
of the market for rail travel among older people and people with disabilities
and giving them a clear indication of the wide range of issues involved in
realising that market potential. The action will also consider the implications
of its recommendations both for public spending and for competitiveness in
the commercial environment.
The European Commission Joint Research Centre
The European Commission Joint Research Centre has undertaken activity related to computer-based applications for helping the disabled and the elderly people, as well as for the development of hardware or software aids, intended for people with or without special needs. In particular, the VOICE Project is investigating the use of speech recognition systems in conversation, conferences, television broadcasts and telephone calls, with their translation into PC screen messages. This is potentially a powerful help for deaf people, reducing the gap between them and the hearing world. The VOICE Project is developing prototypes of user friendly interfaces, allowing an easier use of commercial products, taking into account the specific user requirements of the deaf. One of the objectives of the Project is that uniting, by means of an Internet VOICE Forum, Associations, companies, universities, schools, public administrations and anyone else interested in voice recognition.
