Advanced Assistive Technologies and Digital Inclusion – the case studies of the MATUROLIFE and DIGITAL ACCESSIBILITY projects

This paper describes a preliminary study into the impact of assistive technologies (ATs) and particularly the impact which Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) may have on social inclusion. The basic research problem of the study is the question of whether and to what extent technology, in particular ICT, opens up new areas of activities in which elderly people and persons with disabilities can have better access. The case studies of two projects: “MATUROLIFE” and “DIGITAL ACCESSIBILITY” are presented in the article; and through the combination of primary and secondary research, several social, technical and economic trends are identified. These are used to compile three explorative scenarios about the future of AT and its impact on digital inclusion.