COST Action – CA19104

Advancing Social inclusion through Technology and EmPowerment

Social inclusion is an important element of well-being for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and/or Intellectual Disability (ID).  Research has highlighted that social inclusion is facilitated through access to education and employment.  Despite this, people with ASD and/or ID have low rates of participation in these domains.  Research has demonstrated that Assistive Technology (AT) shows great promise in increasing participation in education and employment.  Notwithstanding recent technological advances, there are low rates of adoption of AT throughout Europe by service providers, educators, employers and policymakers. There are several areas of unmet need including: high abandonment rates of AT, lack of inclusion of people with ASD and/or ID in the research process, lack of interdisciplinary and intersectoral collaboration and poor match between technology and the individual with ASD and/or ID.

The aim of the COST action is to build an interdisciplinary, intersectoral pan EU and beyond, network which will enhance social inclusion and empowerment of individuals with ASD and/or ID.

Contact

Benjamin Nanchen, HES-SO Valais-Wallis, Living Lab Handicap (Link to personal contact page)