Assistive technologies (AT) include any equipment, product or device used to increase, maintain, improve or replace functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities. AT devices, make life easier for persons with disabilities in working, playing, communicating and living independently.
Needs of users with disabilities range from mobility to communication, to high tech products accessibility.

The international market for AT is highly fragmented and heavy spread worldwide. The search of the right way out is often difficult and not always standard solutions fit to specific users needs.

Ab.Acus has long-term competencies on the Italian and European market of Assistive Technologies with main focus on ICT based devices.

Ab.Acus is strongly oriented to improve accessibility and usability of mainstream devices searching for the effective integration of customised interfaces and off the shelf products. The aim is to exploit at the most mainstream technologies tailoring them to specific users’ requests.
For example, some projects for the development of customised devices for home automation were carried on to solve specific independent living problems.

An interesting aplication field is the design and development of videogames. Mainstreaming accessibility may be closer than it is thought. High parametrization is often already embedded in the main mainstreaming Artificial Intelligence engines. It may be unlocked to improve usability and accessibility to any gamer.

Dissemination material and references:

The HAPPY AGEING project: an overview (poster presentation)

Laudanna E, Bulgheroni M, Caprino F, Besio S, Making mainstreaming videogames more accessible: a pilot study applied to Buzz!TM Junior Monster Rumble for PlayStation(full paper) Computers Helping People with Special Needs; 12th International Conference, ICCHP 2010, Vienna, Austria, July 14-16, 2010.
E. Laudanna ICCHP 2010 slides presentation

Andrich R, Bulgheroni M, Da Dalt R, Giust R, Agnoletto A The European Assistive Technology Information Network (EASTIN) Assistive Technology Research Series Volume 16, 2005, IOS Press

Ferrè L. Bulgheroni M, Scacco A NavigAbile: Services and Methodologies for Internet Exploitation by People with Communicational and Cognitive Disabilities Assistive Technology Research Series Volume 20, 2007, IOS Press
Ferrè L, Bulgheroni M, Scacco A, Pozza G NavigAbile: Services and Methodologies for Internet Exploitation by People with Communicational and Cognitive Disabilities Collaboration and the Knowledge Economy: Issues, Applications, Case Studies, IOS Press, 2008

The Workshop on E-Inclusion in Mathematics and Science 2009, December 12 - 13, 2009, Fukuoka, Japan V.Brigatti, C. Bernareggi, E. Pontelli Producing Accessible Slide Presentations for Scientific Lectures: a case study for the Italian University in the Mac OS X environment (full paper)
V. Brigatti WEIMS 2009 slides presentation