1. - OATS - Open-Source Assistive Technology - only one way forward! - Andrew Lysley ACE R&D Co-ordinator Stephen Druce ACE Projects Officer

2. An overview What is Open-source software? What is Open-source Assistive Technology Software? Why this project and who might benefit? Where next and how you can help?

3. What is open-source software (OSS)? Open-source Software (OSS) is computer software written for any operating system (Windows, Macintosh, Linux, etc.) Under a license anyone can change and/or share the software freely Open-source software must make its source or programming code freely available End-users have the right to modify and redistribute the software Open-source software is well established with a large amount of established software available.

4. Source Forge – biggest OSS website with over 110,000 projects

5. - SCHOOL FORGE - an OSS website for UK Schools

6. What is the OATS Project? First web-based open-source software Repository (library) and Forge (dating agency) dedicated to Assistive Technology One-stop shop for users, clinicians, & developers Pilot project to assess service desirability

7. The OATS Repository - A Library -

8. Listing software in a central web-based database Offering simple and easy methods to find appropriate AT software Standardising in one place downloading and installation of AT software Providing a level of quality assurance to guide potential end users

9. OATS Repository - SAW 5 -

10. OATS Repository - Dasher -

11. The OATS Forge - A Dating Agency -

12. To attract volunteer software developers To develop new AT software based on specific end user needs To provide a dynamic discussion forum for end users and open-source developers

13. Other OATS Services Symbol and picture libraries Software resources - such as free selection sets and user configurations AT software that is not open-source but is free will also be included (eg ZenKeys)

14. OATS Website Structure

15. What next? Pilot website launch in December 05 Six-month live evaluation Final report on pilot Exit strategy…….

16. How you can help & participate? Spread the word! Send examples of OATS Send examples of free AT software Join the OATS SIG NOW! oats-sig@lists.becta.org.uk www.oatsoft.org

17. OATS Project Consortium The ACE Centre, Oxford (Project Co- ordinator) ACT, Birmingham Dpt. Of Applied Computing, University of Dundee Swedish Institute for Special Needs Education, Gothenberg

18. OATS Contact details Andrew Lysley OATS Project Co-ordinator The ACE Centre 92 Windmill Road Headington Oxford OX3 7DR Tel: 01865 759802 Email: lysley@ace-centre.org.uklysley@ace-centre.org.uk OATS SIG: oats-sig@lists.becta.org.ukoats-sig@lists.becta.org.uk Website: www.oatsoft.orgwww.oatsoft.org (going live in December 2005)