Slide 1 Towards a global network of AT Centres Evert-Jan Hoogerwerf Emilia Romagna’s Regional Centre for Assistive Technology AAATE Conference, Vilamoura, 18/09/2013 Supported by:

Slide 2 Articles UNCRPD with Implications for ICT Accessibility and Assistive Technologies

Slide 3 Starting point Implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities -Articles on Accessibility and Assistive Technologies -International collaboration (art. 32) The role of AT Centres?

Slide 4 AT Centers Network Aligned with CRPD Guidelines on International Cooperation  States Parties (…) will undertake appropriate and effective measures, as appropriate, in partnership with relevant international and regional organizations and civil society, in particular organizations of persons with disabilities. Such measures could include, inter alia:  Ensuring that international cooperation, including international development programs, is inclusive of and accessible to persons with disabilities;  Facilitating and supporting capacity-building, including through the exchange and sharing of information, experiences, training programs and best practices;  Facilitating cooperation in research and access to scientific and technical knowledge (Article 32)

Slide 5 History, Governance, Contributions  AT Centers Leadership Network launched as a G3ict Collaborative Program in 2012  Members have to commit to Charter and Governance of Network  No financial contributions required from members (Coordination supported by G3ict)  In-kind contributions and hosting of meetings by members welcome  Industry and institutional observers supporting the networks mission invited to selected group activities

Slide 6 AT Centers Network Charter 1. Affirm the universality, indivisibility, interdependence and interrelatedness of all human rights and fundamental freedoms of Persons with Disabilities 2. Are committed to further the full implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 3. Involve Persons with Disabilities in their organization 4. Seek to offer and implement Assistive Technologies solutions allowing Persons with Disabilities with a diverse range of needs to gain the greatest possible level of independence 5. Support the development of professional expertise 6. Proactively support policies and programs aligned with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in their respective countries 7. Lobby their governments and industry to implement the General Obligations relative to Assistive Technologies defined by article 4 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Slide 7 AT Centers Network Members Are Centers that:  Are delivering services to persons with disabilities with diverse ranges of needs  Operate or are influential at a state-wide level  Operate with a dedicated organization and a governance including persons with disabilities  Are willing and able to share know-how, competences and intellectual resources  Serve or partner with multiple networks of organizations working with persons with disabilities in areas such as in education, workplace and rehabilitation

Slide 8 Objectives of the AT Centers Network 1. Share successful programs and practical experiences among leading AT Centers 2. Solicit feedback from stakeholders and provide input on policies and programs to policy makers implementing the CRPD 3. Benchmark progress made by States Parties in implementing CRPD policies related to Assistive Technologies 4. Explore leading-edge information and communication technology solutions, challenges and opportunities 5. Identify regional leaders and spokespersons to disseminate, share, and collaborate within a region

Slide 9 Areas of Peer Resources Sharing 1. Advisory, consulting and assessment practices 2. Training and professional development of staff 3. Managing ethical economic sustainability 4. Best practices in measuring impact 5. Compare and contrast models of mission implementation 6. Awareness and outreach 7. Support to innovation including Vendors and IT industry 8. Policy, advocacy and lobbying promoting ATs

Slide 10 Sharing Methods  Meetings at participating AT centers and/or at major AT or AT- related conferences  (ATIA 2012, CSUN 2012, ATIA 2013, AAATE 2013)  AT Centre network web space  Conference calls / audio conferencing

Slide 11 Founding Participants Founding AT Centres Mada - Qatar AT Center (lead) Emilia Romagna’s Regional Centre for Assistive Technology, (Italy) BarrierBreak Technologies/Net Systems Informatics, (India) U.S. DOL / JAN Job Network Accommodation, (U.S.A.) Society for the Physically Disabled, (Singapore) Technosite (Spain) Other Centres involved GLIC Italian network of ICT-AT Centres, Enable Ireland, Fondazione Don Gnocchi (Italy), Temple University Philadelphia (USA) Supporting bodies G3ict, ATIA (U.S.A.), AAATE (E.U.) & RESNA (U.S.A.) Observers UN Committee on CRPD, Organization of American States, SEDPcD (São Paulo, Brazil), IBM Corporation, Microsoft, Adobe

Slide 12 ChallengesChallenges  Getting more Centres involved  Making exchange meaningfull  Reflect on differences in models and strategies and valorise these  Support competence development in emerging countries

Slide 13 Difficulties encountered  Dedicated resources  Economic crises and reforms  Global dimension (time zones)  Added value compared to regional networking to be further demonstrated

Slide 14 Next Steps  Expression of interest to be sent to: or to  Availability for meeting during AAATE conference.  AT Centers Leadership Network web page: