 | The text below talks about new tools which are easy to understand. One can use them on the computer or for mobile phones. There is one tool similar to Facebook to keep in contact with family and friends. There are also different tools to use for mobile phones, for example easy to understand watches and a music player. These tools are only available in Spanish but soon they will also be available in English and French. |
The Robot Institute of the University of Valencia (Instituto de Robótica), together with the Foundation Adapta, launched a series of technological applications in Brussels created to support people with autism spectrum condition and intellectual disabilities. The objective is to mitigate the factors of social exclusion. Among the tools presented, is a social network similar to Facebook but particularly accessible for people with intellectual disabilities; as well as there are various applications for mobile phones or laptops to support person centered planning and daily activities. The presentation was led by Gerardo Herrera, Director of the Robot Institute of the University of Valencia, and Juan Manual Revuelta, General Director of the Fundación Comunidad Valenciana-Región Europea (Valencian Community Foundation for the Region of Europe). “By October 2010, we will have these tools available in English and French in order to extend their usability and foster the cooperation with other institutes in all of the European Union”, said Gerardo Herrera. Social Network “Miradas de apoyo” The website www.miradasdeapoyo.org is a social network created to support programmes of person centered planning for people with intellectual disabilities and autism spectrum condition. On this online platform only families and supporters of the person with disabilities can access his or her personal information about personal objectives, career plans, emotions and daily activities. Project “Proyecto Azahar” The Project Azahar www.proyectoazahar.org is a compilation of 10 free applications for mobile phones and personal laptops for communications, leisure and time management purposes. The “TIC TAC tool” has been designed to enable people with autism and/or learning difficulties to understand and manage the concept of time more easily. For instance, it indicates available leisure time, when to carry out a task, or in situations which can produce a feeling of being overwhelmed with different sensation to wait. “PERSONAL” and “HOLA” are inter-communication tools based on symbols. “MENSAJES” (Messages) helps the person to send e-mails based on symbols and drawings. “MUSICA” is a music player in easy to understand format. The group of autism and intellectual disabilities of the Robot Institute of the University of Valencia has been working for the last 10 years on the development of appliances and new technologies in order to improve the quality of life of people with autism spectrum condition and intellectual disabilities. More information at: http://robotica.uv.es/castellano/home.html http://autismo.uv.es http://www.uegva.info/ This article was written based on information from the Fundación Comunidad Valenciana-Región Europea.
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