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Invitation to Tender: SUITCEYES Project
Preparation of National Reports on Disability Law and Policy: Germany, Greece, Netherlands, Sweden
Disabled People, People with Deafblindness and New Technologies: Artificial Intelligence, IoT, Navigation and Communication
Link to information www.suitceyes.eu (also below)
Artificial intelligence, machine learning and the Internet of Things (IoT) are examples of new developments in technology that hold considerable promise for disabled people. At the same time, disabled people’s access to and control of new technologies is not yet well established and there are risks associated with aspects such as face recognition, privacy and use of data. As regulation of new technologies is underway, we are seeking experienced researchers with a social science background to report on the national situation relevant to disabled people and people with sensory impairments in particular.
We want to know about how developments in new technology are impacting accessibility and wider risks and opportunities for disabled people, with a view to supporting improved structures and policies within a human rights framework.
Who are we looking for?
We wish to sub-contract with four individual policy researchers or teams of researchers who can report on developments in four countries: Germany, Greece, the Netherlands and Sweden.
Applicants should have experience of interdisciplinary work and of carrying out research from a human rights perspective. The ability to understand, assess and interpret data is essential. Knowledge and understanding of new developments in technology and their implications for disabled people, including people with sensory impairments, is desirable. Researchers must be eligible to work in the EU and have a good standard of written English.
The tender is managed by the School of Engineering, University of Leeds, as part of the SUITCEYES project .
Further Details about the Work
Consultants will carry out a scoping review of law and policy in each country, with a view to establishing how technology is being used and whether this supports accessibility and inclusion for disabled people.
You are invited to report on :
1. The specific situation of people with deafblindness, their access to new technologies, aids and equipment through the public and private sectors;
2. More generally for disabled people, law and policy on new technologies supporting participation and inclusion;
3. Regulation of new technologies and the use of data;
4. Ethical frameworks, in place and under development;
5. Disabled people’s access to information about and to technology itself;
6. Accessibility measures in the built environment;
7. Disabled people’s involvement in design processes;
8. Cybersecurity and safeguards.
9. Recommendations
The work will involve desk research into academic, policy and grey literature. However, as this is a new and emerging field, we also ask researchers to consult with key informants in each country about planning and developments in these areas, as appropriate.
About SUITCEYES
SUITCEYES is an interdisciplinary, international ICT Horizon 2020 project running from 2018 – 2020, that is developing wearable haptic technology for use by people with deafblindness. Disability studies is combined with artificial intelligence, machine learning, IoT, sensor technologies, image and object recognition, signal processing, smart textiles, semantics, psychophysics and affective computing. Partners from seven countries are collaborating to develop a haptic communication technology based on an analysis of user needs.
To date, we have carried out extensive interviews with people with deafblindness in five countries and findings from the interviews have been used to design the scope for this law and policy enquiry.
Contracting Arrangements
Successful applicants will receive a more detailed specification for reporting and payment terms will be agreed before the start of the project. We will jointly agree scheduled regular meetings to report on progress, develop drafts of reports and address queries as they arise during the course of the project.
Timescales for delivery
Work should be completed by the end of December 2019.
Payment
A sum of 5500 euros is payable for each national report.
Application Process
To register your interest, please send:
- a covering letter that includes a description of your skills and experience
- CV(s) for the researchers(s) involved
- and a brief outline of how you would approach the task, to:
Dr Sarah Woodin, School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Leeds, England Email: [log in to unmask]
Closing date for applications: 18.10.19
Informal enquiries are also welcome.
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