Hi everyone,
I apologise for cross-posting the following pre-announcement but
thought you would all be interested in it. The "Innovation in Assistive
Technology; Looking Back to the Future" symposium will be held in The
Netherlands on the 5th November - details are below, or at the following
weblink:
http://www.vilans.nl/lookingbacktothefuture
Invitation
On the 5th of November 2009 a one day symposium on Innovating Assistive
Technology will be held in Maastricht in the Netherlands. The symposium
focuses on the current climate for innovation of AT in Europe and in
particular in the Netherlands. Through expert presentations and forum
discussion a perspective will be generated on AT innovation.
Background
The state of technological progress keeps providing our societies with
a large variety of innovative systems and devices. The speed of
innovation keeps increasing for devices on the consumer market. For
Assistive Technology, supporting persons with impairment, however the
speed of innovation is much less spectacular. This results in a state of
the art regarding AT technology adoption lagging almost a decade in
comparison to the mainstream market. Although there are some types of
assistive technology that are suitable for a (growing) large number of
users, most assistive technology is suitable for a relative small target
audience, forming a small market. Moreover, most assistive technology is
paid for through reimbursement systems of some kind. By nature such
systems tend to strive for minimizing costs and as a result only limited
margins can be achieved for financing. R & D activities. As a result
innovation depends to a large extend on third party funding.
Mathijs Soede
An additional reason for organising this symposium is the passing of
the retirement date of Dr. ir. Mathijs Soede, currently active at Vilans
and the Hogeschool Zuyd Heerlen, and formerly at iRv in Hoensbroek
(Netherlands) and beyond.This has been director of iRv, first president
of AAATE (Association for the Advancement of Assistive Technology in
Europe) and is Editor-in-Chief of the Journal Technology and Disability.
Intended audience
The symposium is intended for professionals active in the AT market, AT
provision or research. The language of the symposium is English.
Venue
The symposium will be held at Castle *Rijckholt* just south of
Maastricht. The formal programme will last from 10.00 till 17.00 and
will be followed by an informal gathering for our guest of honour Thijs
Soede.
Registration fee is 85 Euro. A shuttle bus from Maastricht*s main
railway station to the symposium venue (and vice versa) will be
available.
Cheers,
Dave ;-)
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