bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determination of the Swell-Stress Curve of an Expansive Soil Using Centrifuge Technology
Authors: Plaisted Michael  , Zornberg Jorge
Published: February 2025

A research project was conducted on the use of centrifuge technology to characterize the expansive properties of a highly plastic clay. The resulting testing procedure allowed the measurement of the one-dimensional swell of a soil sample in the centrifuge. This paper focuses on the analysis of testing results, specifically how to determine the relationship between swell and effective stress of a soil using centrifuge testing. Samples under centrifugation are subjected to wide range of effective stress across the sample height due to an increased unit weight. A method is initially proposed to define a representative effective stress of the centrifuge sample, which can be used to relate the swell of the sample to a single representative effective stress. A second, more robust method is also developed, which uses multiple centrifuge test results and curve fits a function to the data. Both methods were found to result in accurate swell-stress curves verified by comparison with curves determined by standard swell test methods.
Geotechnical Properties of Patagonian Tephra Tuff
Authors: Willan Martyn
Published: February 2025

Geotechnical investigations for a proposed mineral processing plant located in southern Argentina found the presence of a highly variable Tephra Tuff (lithified pyroclastic fall) rock mass.
Case Study: Deep Excavation in Beirut Suburb
Authors: Abboud Antoine
Published: February 2025

The paper deals with the case of a deep excavation in the suburb of Beirut with a maximum depth of 30.5 m supported by an 80 cm Diaphragm Wall braced by seven rows of pre-stressed tiebacks/struts. The soil profile is composed of more than 15 m of sandy and clayey alluvial sediments followed by a marl and marlstone stratum with a water table located at 3.0 m from ground level. The excavation modeling and analysis is performed using two numerical methods based on the method of displacement which accounts for an elasto-plastic soil reaction and a finite element model with different constitutive models for each soil layer. The excavation and construction stages are fully integrated into both models. The global stability of the excavation and limited displacement at the top are the critical points in the design in addition to the structural integrity of the Diaphragm Wall and the efficiency of the tiebacks. The displacement output predicted by the models is compared to the actual recorded displacements from the monitoring of the excavation using inclinometer and surveying readings. Conclusions are drawn in reference to the suitability of the available design and analysis methodologies and tools for such extreme applications and conditions.
Internally Instrumented Soil Nail Pull Out Tests
Authors: Breyl Jacobus  , Wardle Gavin
Published: February 2025

In order to evaluate the ultimate bond stress used in modelling soil nail behaviour for lateral support, soil nail pull out tests are conducted on the site. Test nails are installed with the first metre de-bonded from the soil to give a free length, whilst the remaining length of nail and grout body is regarded as the bond length. In the analysis of the test results, it is assumed that the free length is completely de-bonded from the soil and that the load distribution along the grout body is uniform at failure. Three instrumented soil nail pull out tests were conducted to evaluate the validity of these assumptions. The current in-house practice for obtaining a free length proved to be effective. More testing is required to evaluate the typical load distribution at failure and suggested next steps for further research in this regard are given.
Calculations Versus Measurements of the Diaphragm Wall Trench Stability and of the Deformations
Authors: Răileanu Ion
Published: February 2025

The paper reviews different analytical and numerical practical verification methods of trench stability, focusing on the models which take into account tridimensional effects and arching phenomena appearing in the ground. The analytical methods reviewed in this paper, being the basis of the diaphragm wall trench stability comparative calculations, are: plain strain state, arching effect in vertical plane (Schneebeli Method), arching effect in horizontal plane (Piaskowski-Kowalewski and Huder Methods). The numerical calculations presented in this paper were done using the FEM software PLAXIS 3D, considering two soil behavior models: Mohr-Coulomb and Hardening Soil. The paper compares the results of the trench stability calculations for two diaphragm walls with different lengths and the same depth, performed in alluvial soils in Bucharest: 2.7 m and 6.2 m length and a depth of approx. 30 m. For comparison, the results of the inclinometer measurements regarding the displacement of the soil close to the trench are presented.
High-Rise Building Foundation on Floating Soil-Cement Columns
Authors: Do Huu Dao  , Nguyen Minh Hai
Published: February 2025

During the last decades, the precast concrete and bored pile foundation system installed to significant toe bearing in dense soils are typically used for high-rise buildings in the Quang Nam province, Vietnam. Because of the anticipated significant costs of this solution, a more economical alternative foundation system was essential, and the alternative of the foundation rested on floating soil-cement columns was proposed for a 5-story hospital building. The soil profile consists of medium dense silty clay into 28 m depth deposited on dense to compact silty sand. Two single columns and one group of 5 columns with open spaces between columns from 30 through 100 mm, 800 mm in diameter, were constructed using the wet deep mixing method into 14 m depth to serve for test and design of building foundation. The head-down tests were performed and the maximum test loads on the single columns and column group were about 400 and 2,000 KN, respectively. The measured maximum movements ranged from about 3.4 through 6.5 mm. The proposed solution saved about 30 % of cost of original designed foundation supported by 300 mm square precast concrete piles driving into 30 m depth. Effectiveness of solution is illustrated and discussed and modeling of soil-cement columns is analyzed by means of the Unified Design Method to response long- term settlements of building.
Impact of Geosynthetic in Soft Soil Reinforced by Rigid Inclusions
Authors: Girout Romain  , Blanc Matthieu  , Thorel Luc  , Dias Daniel
Published: February 2025

The rigid inclusions technique consists in reinforcing a soft soil by rigid vertical inclusions and in installing a granular mattress on it. To improve this technique, a geosynthetic sheet can be added between the reinforced soil and the granular mattress. A centrifuge model, based on the mobile tray, has been tested at 20×g. This device simulates the settlement of a fictive soft soil by the vertical downwards movement of the tray. This experimental study shows that a thick mattress, a dense inclusion network and a geosynthetic allow decreasing both the stress on the soft soil (i.e. on the tray) and the differential settlement. These results are completed by a finite element analysis with a 2D axisymmetric model.
An Integrated Fall Detection System with GSM Module
Authors: Fanucci L.  , Sabatelli S.  , Turturici M.  , Iacopetti F.  , Saponara S.  , Avvenuti M.
Published: February 2025

Accidental falls in a domestic environment are the main cause of casualty among older people. A very important problem is represented by the fact that, after a fall, the person is seldom capable to call for help, and delays in assistance lead to the worsening of fall consequences, which also result in psychological insecurity and the need of continue assistance. For this reason a wearable fall detection system is presented in this work. A small sized and low power consumption board with a microcontroller, an accelerometer and a GSM module was designed, allowing the use also in outdoor scenarios, everywhere the GSM signal is available. A particular algorithm is used to distinguish a fall from activities of daily living (ADLs), that present an acceleration pattern similar to a fall, and to therefore reduce the probability of false alarms.
Stakeholder Perspectives on Assistive Technology to Aid People with Visual Impairment to Move Safely
Authors: Cudd Peter  , Bolton Emily  , Hargreaves Sarah  , Oguntuase Olubukola
Published: February 2025

In relation to visually impaired people moving safely, an exploration of stakeholders' perspectives in the context of the current status of need, practice and experience of use of assistive technologies is presented. Rapid acquisition of domain knowledge through consultative non-research processes, is reported as a prelude to researching stakeholder perspectives. It is noted that while the small numbers who volunteered would not be expected to generate authoritative generalisable findings, in fact in relation to the design goal and the depth of analysis, they actually reflect well the current state-of-the-art understanding. Other findings of import include : the apparent hostility of professionals and some end users to new electronic assistive technology - apparently underpinned by poor historical experiences; the potential inference is that haptic and other electronic aids for safe movement have to deliver simple-to-use solutions that really offer significant advantages over the use of a white canes or guide dogs.
The Employment of KWAZO with Parents of Children with Disabilities in an Italian Region: Preliminary Data on Scale Adaptation and Validation
Authors: Desideri Lorenzo  , Bitelli Claudio  , Brandan Viviana  , de Witte Luc
Published: February 2025

Introduction: The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes the fundamental role of assistive technologies in overcoming functional limitations of people with disabilities. Users' satisfaction with the provision of assistive technology (AT) service is a fundamental aspect of the AT service outcome evaluation process. To this end, the employment of validated instruments is recommended. Objective: to provide data about a preliminary validation of the KWAZO scale in the Italian context with a sample of parents of children with disabilities who use AT solutions. Methodology: the translation of the scale was performed by AT professionals operating at the Centre for Assistive Technology (CAT) operating in Bologna, Italy. A survey was conducted involving parents of children assessed for AT at the CAT centre in the period 2007-2012. The validation of the scale was performed in terms of content and face validity in order to evaluate its comprehensibility and usability. Convergent validity was also assessed employing the Italian version of the QUEST 2.0. Results: 34 parents completed the questionnaires. From the results, the content and face validity was confirmed. Correlation between the KWAZO and the QUEST 2.0 resulted satisfactory (Spearman correlation .66; p <.001). Conclusions: The Italian version of the KWAZO scale is a valid instrument for assessing the satisfaction with the service delivery from a user perspective. Further investigations are planned in order to assess its validity and reliability with a broader sample of AT users.
Individual Assessment for Assistive Technology Solutions: Reflections on a Thirty-Years Experience
Authors: Andrich Renzo
Published: February 2025

Individual assessment for assistive technology solutions (AT) is often carried out as a specialist consultation in Assistive Technology Centres (ATCs). The SIVA service of the Don Gnocchi Foundation was the ATCs pioneer in Italy: over 30 year of activity it offered about 23.000 individual consultations to clients from all over the country, and developed methodologies and protocols for provision of this service. It also established a national AT information system – first as a local database, then as a web Portal (Portale SIVA) that later was the initiator of the European Assistive Technology Information Network (EASTIN) – and various educational initiatives including a Postgraduate Course and a permanent educational programme composed of monthly Seminars. These activities helped disseminate AT knowledge to end-users, health care professionals, industrialists and policy makers; contributed to the establishment of other ATCs throughout Italy; they also led to a gradual change in the profile of clients applying for individual consultation. As time evolved, the clients' requests tended to be more focused and complex, as answers to simpler problems could be more often found in their community services, or in local ATCs, or even online through the SIVA and the EASTIN portals. This article offers a retrospective look at this thirty-years experience, which in turn is divided into three ten-years phases: the “pioneer” age (1983-1992, in which the service gradually took shape), the “maturity” age (1993-2002, in which the service operated as a self-standing Unit with nation-wide scope) and the “integration” age (2003-2012, in which the service was up-taken by the clinical rehabilitation services of the Don Gnocchi Foundation). Evolutions in the clients' profiles, in the topics dealt with and in the organisational models, are discussed and correlated to the parallel evolution of the information system and the educational activities.
Measuring the Impact of a Bespoke Engineering Referral Service
Authors: Dalton Hannah  , Evans Nina  , Harris Nigel  , Adlam Tim
Published: February 2025

This paper describes the bespoke referral service which works with both therapists and users to customise or design one-off equipment for disabled adults and children. The aim is to show how the Bath Institute of Medical Engineering (BIME) has chosen and developed evaluation tools to measure the impact of this referral service; how this impact was achieved, and the outcome for the individuals. To assess the referrals received by BIME, they are screened against criteria to identify if the referral is feasible. User's requirements are identified through an initial assessment to create a novel design that will be manufactured into a prototype and delivered. It was felt the impact of the referral service would be reflected more effectively if more information on the outcome of the novel design was collected; therefore the referral form needed to be revised. Previous referrals success has been collated using a simple outcome measure which reports that these novel designs have been 99% successful in solving the initial problem. This demonstrates the positive impact this area of work has on people with disabilities who experience difficulty with individual tasks.
Abilities and Limitations of Assistive Technologies in Post-Stroke Therapy based on Virtual/Augmented Reality
Authors: Szücs Veronika  , Sik Lanyi Cecilia
Published: February 2025

The purpose of the research showed in this article, was to introduce an augmented and/or virtual reality technology and that how can it be applied in the healthcare, rehabilitation, in AAL. This article shows, where some limitations using these assistive technologies are, and shows the state-of-the-art in this area.
Emergency Communication Tool for Deaf, Language Dysfunction and Foreigners: Method to Inform Sensory Level of Ache and Pain, Measuring by MVA on Touch Panel Tablet
Authors: Hosono Naotsune  , Inoue Hiromitsu  , Miyajima Fumihiro  , Inaba Toshiyuki  , Nishijima Masaru  , Nakanishi Miwa  , Tomita Yutaka
Published: February 2025

This paper discusses the efficiency of the Emergency Communication Tool (ECT) on a tablet with a touch panel. Since the ECT is a simple menu like pictogram panel and the user is simply to point the pain portion and severe level. Those icons and pictograms are created by means of Marble Method which is once proposed by the author. Prototype ECT is evaluated by hearing impaired people in the manner of the usability test. Four hearing impaired people participated the evaluation based on Research Questionnaire Analysis in the statistics. The evaluation results by them with ECT found about three times quicker than the PC mail.
Exploiting AAL Environment for Behavioral Analysis
Authors: Losardo Agostino  , Grossi Ferdinando  , Matrella Guido  , De Munari Ilaria  , Ciampolini Paolo
Published: February 2025

Recent environmental control systems, designed and developed according to Ambient Assisted Living paradigm, can increase the chances of active and independent living for elderly people and people with disabilities, by improving their safety and autonomy. Such systems can play an assistive role, interacting with users through non-invasive smart-sensors, monitoring their wellbeing and implementing behavioural analysis. This paper aims to present some tools developed into the CARDEA AAL system to foster a more effective transfer of AAL outcome to caregiving practices. By processing raw data generated from low-cost environmental sensors, CARDEA allows for the identification of behavioural “trends”, which can be meaningful to caregivers. Presentation tools are proposed, suitable for highlighting relevant issues, the actual interpretation of which is left to the caregiver.
Declarative Transcription System for Sign Language Dictionaries Creation
Authors: Boulares Mehrez  , Jemni Mohamed
Published: February 2025

Up to day, the majority of Sign language animation systems rely on 3D content dictionary. However, to create Sign language dictionary, two main techniques are employed: pre-synthesized animation and generated animation. The first one relies on an expensive material based on motion capture pre-recorded animation using avatar technology. The second technique relies on proprietary solutions that consist on automatic and real-time generation of animations using specific transcription systems. Unfortunately, the majority of proprietary transcription systems require user specific skills. Therefore, the sign language creation process still remains a hard task. In this paper, we propose a new approach inspired from the declarative language to make sign language dictionary creation easier. Our aim is to provide a high-level layer using a transcription language that resembles to the spoken language. We illustrate the sign creation logic without describing how our complex animation functions are executed or evaluated. Therefore, our solution can be used by any user without any specific skills requirement. The proposed approach also can be used to create signs independently to sign language nature. In this paper we describe also, how our tool generates a natural sign animation based on human motion trajectory analysis.
Classification of ICT-based Learning Technologies for Disabled People: Outcomes of Enable Network Project
Authors: Hersh Marion
Published: February 2025

This paper presents what seems to be the first methodology for classifying ICT-based learning technologies for disabled people. It was developed through the work of the Enable Network for ICT Learning for Disabled People. Its potential is illustrated through application to one of the learning technologies used in the partner countries.
Automatic Gestures Generation Approach for Sign Language
Authors: Yahia Nour Ben  , Jemni Mohamed
Published: February 2025

The animation of virtual characters can improve the dialogue between human and machine.We note that the new technologies of information and communication invest more and more our daily space. We observe the emergence of new services that tend to facilitate the generation, the propagation and the consultation of information. However, such technical progress is not accessible to everyone. In this paper, we present an automatic gestures generation approach for sign language that allows automatic animation of the different body parts of an avatar in order to improve the fluidity of the avatar movement and to generate realistics mouvements.
Supporting Mentoring on the Job through Social Media
Authors: Hamburg Ileana
Published: February 2025

Mentoring on the job is often used to introduce/integrate staff into place of employment and is a topic of this paper as an important aspect of work-based and social learning. In this paper the approach of ICT supported mentoring for people with disabilities and examples within the innovation transfer LdV projects IBB2 (www.lebenshil feguv. at/ibb2) and DIMENSAAI (www.dimensaai.eu) and the LdV learning partnership MOTION are also presented. IBB2 supports inclusive care of workers with learning disabilities during their job entry by using a mentoring process taking place between the inclusive care worker and a colleague.
Episodic Memory Visualization in Robot Companions Providing a Memory Prosthesis for Elderly Users
Authors: Ho W.C.  , Dautenhahn K.  , Burke N.  , Saunders J.  , Saez-Pons J.
Published: February 2025

The goal of home care robots is to help elderly people to age in their own homes. Ageing people who are otherwise quite healthy may suffer from memory loss and consequently decrease their independence because the memory loss might endanger their health and safety. For example they may not remember if they have taken their medicine or what task they were currently engaged in. Equipping a robotic companion with a visualization tool for episodic memory is an excellent opportunity to have a robot provide memory prosthesis. In the EU project ACCOMPANY we study how memory visualization can support the user in remembering past events from the human-robot interaction history. Potentially, this ability to explore interaction histories could enable elderly persons as well as third parties (e.g. technicians, carers, family and friends) to monitor, maintain and improve the robot's abilities, services and ultimately its usefulness as a care robot.
Abstract User Interface, Rich Grouping and Dynamic Adaptations – A Blended Approach for the Generation of Adaptive Remote Control User Interfaces
Authors: Zimmermann Gottfried  , Jordan J. Bern  , Thakur Parikshit  , Gohil Yuvarajsinh
Published: February 2025

User interface generation can provide a way out of the “one-size-fits-all” dilemma for accessibility of mainstream devices. By taking a user's preferences, the capabilities of their device and environmental parameters of use into account, user interfaces can be generated that are well suited for a particular user in a particular user context. In this paper, we describe a multi-staged process for the generation of adaptive user interfaces for the remote control of devices and services. A proof-of-concept prototype (GenURC) is currently being implemented, and will be used for empirical studies on dynamic user interface adaptations for persons with disabilities.
Design Issues in Accessible User Interface Generation for Ubiquitous Services through Egoki
Authors: Gamecho Borja  , Miñón Raúl  , Abascal Julio
Published: February 2025

This paper presents a number of design issues raised in the development of Egoki, a system to automatically generate accessible user interfaces to interact with services provided through ubiquitous computing. Egoki dynamically creates model-based user interfaces for each service from its specification in a User Interface Description Language (UIDL), taking into account the specific requirements of diverse user stereotypes. These user interfaces are finally adapted to each user by means of a user model. Among other issues, in this paper we discuss the need to select an appropriate UIDL and to obtain suitable multimedia interaction resources from the service designer.
A Comparison of User Description Languages Concerning Adaptability based on User Preferences
Authors: Mayer Christopher  , Morandell Martin  , Kuntner Andreas  , Tellioglu Hilda
Published: February 2025

The user interface is the most important feature of interaction between users and (AAL) services. Explicitly defined user interfaces are bound to a specific toolkit and programming language or markup language. Thus a separate user interface definition has to be created manually for different classes of I/O devices to be supported. Compared to manual user interface creation, the automatic or semiautomatic generation of user interfaces based on interaction descriptions considerably reduces the manual effort necessary for integrating a large number of devices and therefore automatically increases the number of supported devices. The main goal of this paper is to provide an overview of selected existing solutions for the definition of generic user interactions and the generation of user interfaces. The comparison shows that the aspect of adaptability is partly covered by the presented User Interaction Description Languages. Nevertheless it is important to analyze them with respect to additional criteria, like accessibility, context- and use-case awareness, to receive a meaningful overview of advantages and drawbacks of the different approaches leading to a good basis for choosing one of the presented approaches.
Japanese Activities on International Standardization of Assistive Products
Authors: Inoue Takenobu  , Shimizu Soichi  , Hoshikawa Yasuyuki
Published: February 2025

This paper describes Japanese activities on international standardization of assistive products. Accessible design and Asian cooperation are the main focus. These two activities represent Japanese strategy of assistive technology space; universal design products and orphan products. It is implied that the accessible design standardization activities promote the market size of universal design products in Japan. Asian cooperation activities might improve potential Asian market of orphan products.
Federating Databases of ICT-based Assistive Technology Products
Authors: Gower Valerio  , Vanderheiden Gregg  , Andrich Renzo
Published: February 2025

The importance of providing accessible and accurate information on Assistive Technology (AT) products to all the stakeholders needing it is widely acknowledged. In the past years, several AT information systems have been created in response to this need. Recently, information on AT products has also become important for building up the knowledge base of machine based expert systems. In 2005, some of the most important European AT information providers have joined together to create the European Assistive Technology Information Network (EASTIN), that represents an important source of information to create a Unified Listing of all available solutions to ICT access, i.e. a comprehensive database including information on AT products, and Accessibility Features built into mainstream products. This is in turn a key element to the creation of a Global Public Inclusive Infrastructure. This paper describes the methodology for federating the databases of the EASTIN network with the GPII Unified Listing.
A Cloud-Scale Architecture for Inclusion: Cloud4all and GPII
Authors: Clark Colin  , Basman Antranig  , Markus Kasper Galschiot  , Zenevich Yura
Published: February 2025

The Global Public Inclusive Infrastructure (GPII) is an international collaboration to create tools, infrastructure, and resources that can automatically adapt user interfaces to suit an individual's needs and preferences. With the GPII, users can store their preferences securely in the cloud, taking them with them as they move to different platforms and devices. As part of the Cloud4all Project, the authors have designed and developed an architecture and reference implementation to support the ambitious cross-platform technical and user experience requirements of the GPII. This architecture is intended to support the long-term growth, extensibility, and sustainability of the GPII's personalization system. In this paper we describe the architecture and organizing principles of the GPII/Cloud4All framework, its variety of expected deployment and interaction styles, and how it expects to meet future technical challenges and age gracefully.
Differentiation in Service Robot Behaviour based on User Ability
Authors: Bedaf Sandra  , Gelderblom Gert Jan  , Witte Luc de
Published: February 2025

Sustaining independent living of elderly is both desired by citizens and a target for societal policies which results in a growing demand of home support. Service robots have the potential to offer a solution to this growing demand. In the European ACCOMPANY project an existing robot, the Care-O-bot 3®, will be further developed, to support these older citizens at home. However, the problems elderly face are person-specific due to the diversity in age related loss of abilities between individuals and the diversity in living environments. To explore the dimensions determining appropriate robot behaviour in providing care support at home to the elderly, the roles of caregivers in existing care provision were assessed in the Netherlands, UK, France, and Italy. Secondly, focus group meetings were organised with elderly persons (N=39), formal caregivers (N=44), and informal caregivers (N=24) in the Netherlands, UK, and France. From these results 3 consecutive scenarios could be created. Further, the results indicated the importance of the development of appropriate robot behaviour alongside the functional capabilities need for individual adaptation and the need to further explore the concept of companionship, a diversity of support strategies that need to be implemented and finally ethical considerations regarding the interaction between user and robot.
Intelligent Wheelchairs: Filling the Gap between Labs and People
Authors: Garcia Juan Carlos  , Marron Marta  , Ureña Jesús  , Gualda David
Published: February 2025

The works on Intelligent Wheelchairs (IW) have been an active research area in Assistive Technologies since its first prototypes in the 1980's. But more than 30 years after that promising start almost none (but a few) of those prototypes reached their final users. This work will try to analyze the problems that maintain those vehicles in the labs, far from the real people. Among the possible reasons for that, two main issues are the availability of suitable sensors (in terms of cost and reliability) and over all the lack of an appropriate standard platform in the market to build up an IW. In this paper we will focus our analysis on the platform problem. Under our point of view, it is mandatory to reduce the cost of any IW proposal by using a common framework from the more basic to the most advanced systems. To reach that goal, our proposal for an Intelligent Wheelchair framework take advantage of using standard Electronics systems and Communication devices (USB, CAN, WiFi) in order to guarantee its compatibility with other electronic subsystems and services around the environment (i.e. location based services) and to be able to follow the continuous upgrade of such subsystems.
Understanding and Improving Power Mobility Use among Older Adults: An Overview of the Canwheel Program of Research
Authors: Rushton Paula W  , Miller William C
Published: February 2025

Power wheelchairs are an expensive yet essential form of assistive technology that can compensate for impaired mobility and improve quality of life for older adults. In this paper we provide an overview of the work of CanWheel, a Canadian research team dedicated to improving the mobility opportunities of older adults who use power wheelchairs. Through a program of research involving five individual studies, this team is addressing three basic questions: 1) How are power wheelchairs used now?, 2) How can power wheelchairs be used better?, and 3) How can power wheelchairs be better?. A brief summary of the status of this research is provided.
OSCAR: Clinical Decision Support System for Prescription of Assistive Technology to People with Disabilities
Authors: Danial-Saad Alexandra  , Kuflik Tsvi  , Weiss Patrice L.  , Schreuer Naomi
Published: February 2025

This paper presents a novel, knowledge-driven approach for pointing device prescription that aims to enhance the prescription process via OSCAR, a Clinical Decision Support System. OSCAR was constructed in a three-stage process: developing a pointing-device ontology; formulating IF-THEN matching rules, and constructing a web-based user interface. Evaluating OSCAR's usability through the System Usability Scale reflected a high satisfaction rate with a mean score = 80.9 (SD = 10.6). OSCAR's effectiveness was evaluated through the prescription results which showed no significant difference between experts using the traditional approach and novices using OSCAR. These results indicate that OSCAR is able to support novice clinicians in the AT prescription process to a level that is comparable to experts. The main contribution of this research is in the development and evaluation of a CDSS which bridges the gap between existing general models for pointing device prescription and a process that can support expert and novice clinicians. Although the system is currently designed for adaptation of a specific device (physically controllable pointing device) it can be expanded to include other AT devices. The results will also serve as an example to demonstrate the utility of using a CDSS in other clinical areas.
Service Delivery Systems for Assistive Technology in Europe: A Position Paper
Authors: Andrich Renzo
Published: February 2025

As a follow-up of an International Workshop held in Copenhagen, Denmark, on May 21-22, 2012, a consensus process started under the leadership of AAATE (Association for Advancement of Assistive Technology in Europe) and EASTIN (European Assistive Technology Information Network) that led to the production of a European Position Paper. This Paper indicates a framework for exploiting the role of assistive technology (AT) in supporting care and participation of people with disabilities and elderly people through appropriate service delivery systems (SDS). The Position Paper is organised in four chapters. The first chapter (Background) discusses the reasons why a position paper on this issue was deemed useful; it also summarises the key themes of the Copenhagen workshop and recalls the previous HEART Study of the European Commission. The second chapter (The scope of an AT SDS), discusses the concept of assistive solutions – intended as individualised interventions providing users with appropriate environmental facilitators (AT products, personalised environmental modifications, personal assistance) to overcome disability and enable participation in all aspects of life – and states the mission of a SDS – ensuring that all people with disabilities can access appropriate assistive solutions that are able to support autonomy in their life environment. The third chapter (Basic features of an AT SDS) discusses why public SDSs are needed for AT, what the main SDS models are, and how the SDSs quality can be monitored. The last chapter provides a number of useful recommendations for those who are engaged in the design, development and implementation of AT SDS policies.
Sustainable Solutions for Wheelchair and Seating Assistive Technology Provision: Presenting a Cosmopolitan Narrative with Rich Pictures
Authors: Gowran Rosemary Joan
Published: February 2025

In the wheelchair and seating assistive technology (WSAT) literature, sustainability concepts are beginning to emerge in relation to appropriate provision from design to follow up and management involving key stakeholder perspectives. A qualitative research design utilising a soft systems methodological framework which included organisational ethnography and critical participatory action research was chosen to study this complex system. The research process overall involved participant observation, individual interviews and a series of collaborative workshops. The process was made up of four main pillars. Pillar 2 as an example sought to understand stakeholder perspectives individually and collectively. This paper presents the first of a series of workshops which created rich pictures of wheelchair and seating provision representing collective experiences. Findings identified the complexity of the system and key areas for development to improve the flow of the overall provision. Specific concerns that were reported to exist related to individual and nationwide organisational roles, responsibilities and regulation which appeared to influence the disproportionate rhythm of the wheelchair and seating provision system. A better understanding is required to set the provision of WSAT for prioritisation at a public and policy level both nationally and internationally.
Word and Sentence Prediction: Using the Best of the Two Worlds to Assist AAC Users
Authors: Garcia Luís  , Oliveira Luis  , Matos David
Published: February 2025

In this article we studied the effect of using Sentence Prediction as a complementary technique to Word Prediction. A mean rate of 21.0 WPM and a maximum absolute rate of 43.4 WPM were obtained for the Sentence Prediction only condition. Combining Sentence Prediction with Word Prediction resulted in a mean rate of 18.8 WPM and a maximum absolute rate of 36.2 WPM. To measure system performance under more realistic conditions we also tested the use of Word and Sentence Prediction under different sentence knowledge conditions: 100%, 75%, 50%, 25%, 0%, and were obtained mean rates of 16.8, 14.6, 10.9, 8.6 and 8.2 WPM respectively. The conditions with less knowledge (25% and 0%) had results close to the Word Prediction only condition, around 8 WPM, which is an indicator that under low sentence re-use conditions it does not compromise user performance. Since Sentence Prediction also proved to have the potential to speed up message composition, we think this technique can be a valuable complement to Word Prediction in AAC systems.
Inclusive AAC - Multi-Modal and Multilingual Language Support for All
Authors: Lundälv Mats  , Derbring Sandra  , Brännström Annika  , Farre Bengt  , Nordberg Lars
Published: February 2025

The Concept Coding Framework (CCF) technology represents a long term commitment to develop and deliver an open infrastructure for multi-modal and multilingual language support for a wide area of applications. In this way the varying needs among several smaller groups of users of AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) may be met as part of an inclusive environment of much wide-spread interest. With support from the EU via the AEGIS project, a “CCF-SymbolServer” has been developed. It can be installed locally on any of the major desktop platforms (GNU/Linux, MacOS X and Windows), or online, to support many kinds of local or web based services and networked mobile systems. In any of these environments the CCF-SymbolServer can provide its multilingual and multi-modal representation services to other applications. Four such applications will be presented: 1) CCF-SymbolWriter, an extension for symbol support in LibreOffice/OpenOffice Writer; 2) CCF-SymbolDroid, an AAC app for Android mobile devices; 3) the new CCF supported version of Special Access to Windows (SAW6); and 4) “Nysnö”, a web based prototype for symbol supported easy to read news text. Future perspectives will be discussed.
Combining Research, Theory and End User Experiments for Suitable AAC Apps
Authors: Mendes Mafalda  , Correia Secundino
Published: February 2025

The increasing dissemination and wider access to mobile devices, as well as the spread of applications in several areas requires us to rethink the technologies for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). There are now over a three hundred applications for AAC available on the market, at a considerably lower cost when compared to traditional communications systems. However, the exponential growth of the number of these applications is concerning some AAC professionals about the impact of this new approach and raises several relevant questions. This article considers the challenges of a new era for AAC technology, combining theory and practice on the development process of a specific application named Vox4all®, and also suggests paths, new approaches and mindsets for future research.
Learning Switch Scanning Skills by Playing with Robots
Authors: Adams Kim  , Rios Rincón Adriana María  , Encarnação Pedro  , Piedade Gonçalo  , Helmbold Bruce  , Tuck Corinne
Published: February 2025

Manipulating and controlling assistive technology (AT) tools remains challenging for some children with severe multiple disabilities. In the area of communication, for example, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) via switch scanning may be an optimally viable option for children with significant physical limitations. However, children's acquisition of switch scanning may be hampered by the dearth of evidence-based training protocols and the cognitively demanding nature of the task, diminishing motivation. Introducing AAC scanning skills may be facilitated by incorporating switch-controlled robots. Robot mediated play tasks can be designed such that specific switch scanning skills are trained in a potentially engaging setup. This paper reports the technical developments of physical and software-driven virtual robots controlled using switches to perform different play activities. A robot mediated switch training protocol informed by end-user trials is also reported.
Validation of Mobility of Pedestrians with Low Vision and Normal Vision using Graphic Floor Signs in Railway Station
Authors: Omori Kiyohiro  , Yanagihara Takao  , Kitagawa Hiroshi
Published: February 2025

Some people with low vision or elderly people walk looking down at a floor, thus, they often pass without finding or hard to read suspended signs. Therefore, it is required for them to establish a sign system which makes good use of floor or road surfaces in order to provide for more information. This paper proposes a new graphic floor sign system which consists of two designs. A crossing sign is set on a floor of a crossover point, and indicates a direction of neighborhood facilities. A direction sign is set on a floor of a walkway, and indicates a direction and distance to a destination facility. An experiment was conducted at a railway station in order to clarify effectiveness of proposed sign system for people with low vision and the difference of usage between low vision participants and normal vision ones. As a result, it is showed that the floor signs are effective at readability for both participants. However, they have different factors to pass without finding the floor signs.
Presentation Software: Is It One Way to Make Games with Educational Purposes?
Authors: Espadinha Cristina  , Moniz-Pereira Leonor
Published: February 2025

Since 2000 we encourage our students, future therapists or support teachers, to make personalized educational activities and games, in particular when commercial products are not available. So we aim to describe this experience and, through an on-line questionnaire, we analyze the professionals' opinions about the impact of learning how to use presentation software to make games in the present-day. Most former students mentioned that they design and implement part of the didactic materials used in their work with the clients and families. The main pros of this skill are the possibility to individualize the materials to the users and, in the long run, the time savings (just adapt the materials template). The main con was the time consuming of the initial prep work.
Promoting Assistive Technology Competence among Care Staff in Europe
Authors: Churchill James  , Hoogerwerf Evert-Jan
Published: February 2025

Care workers have the potential to play a fundamental role in advancing Assistive Technology (AT) in Europe. The use (or non-use) of personal enabling technology heavily depends on the awareness of the care workers and on their professional preparation. Whilst this is especially the case in care homes, nursing homes and other larger institutions, it is equally applicable to the (much larger) group of people with disabilities who are cared for in their own homes. Nevertheless many professional standards in the care sector, and the training leading to them, lack any specific reference to the importance of AT for the participation and inclusion of people with disabilities and elderly, and how this is related to the spirit of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. In this paper we will report on how the European Care Certificate (ECC) has recently updated its standard and adopted articles on enabling equipment, thus paving the way for a better preparation of the workforce with benefits for the entire social care environment.
Communication Oriented Brain Computer Interface in a Remote Monitoring System for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Authors: Veronese Fabio  , Saidinejad Hassan  , Matteucci Matteo  , Salice Fabio
Published: February 2025

Communication is a core aspect of the human life, since it makes us able to share concepts, information and needs. In patients afflicted by pathologies like Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) an interruption of communication ability occurs: the patient must use Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) aids to recover this capability. Due to the progress of the disease, the patient's abilities keep reducing, till complete paralysis. In that condition the only interface able to provide a communication channel is Brain Computer Interface (BCI). In the following we will present a P300-based BCI, integrated in a project implementing a remote monitoring system for ALS patients.
A User Friendly Robot Architecture for Re-ablement and Co-learning in A sensorised Home
Authors: Saunders Joe  , Burke Nathan  , Koay Kheng Lee  , Dautenhahn Kerstin
Published: February 2025

To meet the needs of an ever ageing population it has been proposed that assitive technology might provide aid and support for elderly people and allow them to reside for longer in their own homes. Such proposals face many social, ethical and technical challenges. In the research presented in this paper we study how a commercially available robot situated in a fully sensorised, although in all other ways typical home, can meet some of these challenges. We focus especially on the technical integration of the robot, the home and the actions of the house residents especially in relation to the learning and control architectures. We envisage that such a software architecture would not only be useful as a physical and memory prosthetic but would also provides active support for re-ablement and co-learning.
Towards a Framework for User Involvement in Research and Development of Emerging Assistive Technologies
Authors: Hoogerwerf Evert-Jan  , Desideri Lorenzo  , Malavasi Massimiliano  , Rimondini Matteo  , Kübler Andrea
Published: February 2025

Many research and development projects in the field of assistive technology involve the participation of people with disabilities as potential end users. Within the context of a recent brain-computer interface (BCI) project, the AT team of AIAS Bologna has tried to identify the core components of a framework that would endow end users with an enhanced role in the design of innovative solutions based on emergent technologies. The components identified are described in this paper.
Inclusion through Design – Engaging Children with Disabilities in Development of Multi-Sensory Environments
Authors: Hedvall Per-Olof  , Larsen Henrik Svarrer  , Caltenco Héctor
Published: February 2025

This paper is based on outcomes from SID (http://sid.desiign.org), a three-year project where twenty-four children with profound intellectual disabilities visited three MSE centres. SID's aim was to develop and demonstrate the potentials of interactive design in and for MSE practices together with the children and the pedagogical staff. In the project, we developed artefacts that were designed to be part of and mediate the explorations rather than to become end products. The designs were explored by the children at the MSE centres and further developed depending on what the children did and what seemed relevant to them. There are few documented examples in the literature where children with profound developmental disabilities are involved as active participants in design activities. We present and discuss the participants' roles in SID's research and development process based on experiences and material from the project, with a hope that this paper can serve as an example of what such a development process might look like and as inspiration for future initiatives.