Does Clear Solutions?

Evidence

yield

Better

Lessons from 25 years trying to improve the way we design and deliver assistive technology, mostly in the area of computer interfaces for people with physical impairments. A foundation of this work is the belief that clear evidence leads to better solutions. Thus we focus on measurement: measuring performance directly in our research studies, helping others gather and apply measurements using our software tools, and reviewing and synthesizing data across the literature base. What have we learned from this approach, and what contributions can it make? Brief biography: Heidi Koester is the President of Koester Performance Research (KPR), a USbased company focused on using evidence to enhance outcomes for computer users who have disabilities. KPR projects have resulted in the release of Compass software for access assessment, as well as Keyboard Wizard, Pointing Wizard, and Scanning Wizard, which are all designed to help individuals find the right access system for their needs. Our research projects have provided important information about adaptive techniques, measurement methods, and evidence-based practice in assistive technology. This research and development experience is complemented by 6 years of direct work providing AT services to individuals with disabilities.

T4I Open access publication All authors should note that accepted final versions of their short communications are published online courtesy of the hosts CATCH at the University of Sheffield. When T4I2017 short communications become available at the conference a link will be provided on the T4I 2017 website (www.t4i2017.org.uk). For T4I2016 see here.

www.t4i2017.org.uk T4I@AAATE The T4i board and the AAATE welcome our delegates to the joint programme of talks at St. Mary’s Conference Centre in Sheffield this year. In addition to the broad range of presentations innovators of AT will have the chance to hear from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) about their process and impacts of the latest regulations. The short day programme includes three parallel streams of sessions relevant to AT practice, innovation and education. Two streams have a blend of T4I and AAATE satellite presentations. The third focuses on the use of robots in care contexts - for the user groups of children and people with dementia. After lunch to mid-afternoon there is the MHRA workshop. Simon Fielden, Chair of the T4I board Peter Cudd, President AAATE

A message from the T4I board T4I is now an annual conference that focuses on the novel and innovation relevant to assistive and commodity technologies and associated services that benefit people with disabilities. Indeed effective use of technology in AT services and by users is of particular interest. T4I 2018 will occur back at the usual time of year, i.e. late November/early December.

Heidi Koester from the University of Michigan USA will give the keynote presentation on ‘Does Clear Evidence yield Better Solutions?’ (More information on the back.)

T4I@AAATE Congress programme –

incorporating AAATE satellite contributions and Robotics in Care

08.30

Registration & Exhibition

08.50

Welcome – Simon Fielding, Chair T4I board

09.00

Keynote : Does Clear Evidence yield Better Solutions? - Heidi Koester, President of Koester Performance Research, USA Chair – Simon Judge

09.45

Short break Nave Chairs : I-Simon Fielden; II-EA Draffan

09.50 - I

10.10

10.30

Pavilion Room

Garden Room

Chairs : I-Donna Cowan; II-Colin Clayton

Chairs : I-Inoue Takenobu; II- Luc de Witte

Exploring the perspectives of people who use aids to enhance their communication 

A Competency Framework for Assistive Technology Specialists 

Design of Robot behaviour that attracts the interest of people with mild dementia 

Karen Sage

Simon Judge

Natsuki Sakuma

Exploring new designs of predictive AAC with disabled participants 

New Open Educational Resources on Digital Accessibility for Building Your Own Courses

Annalu Waller

Gottfried Zimmerman

Luc de Witte

The prevalence of User Innovation amongst persons with disabilities and their carers – an initial study-

Enhancing Digital Accessibility Skill through Open Educational Platforms 

Contextualising Social and Service Robots in Urban Spaces: Global Overview 

EA Draffan

Mateja Kovacic



Aejaz Zahid

Refreshments & Exhibition

10.50 11.20 - II

Brian son of Maavis is Always In Mind



Challenges in using sensors to track users health and wellbeing on a daily basis 

Steve Lee

Mario Muñoz Organero 11.40

Accessible app development: a collaboration between a School of Computing and an NHS Specialised Service  Vicky Johnson

12.00

The path to app generation for fatigue management in Multiple Sclerosis  Peter Cudd

12.20

Introducing ZORA to children with severe Physical Disabilities 

A critical evaluation of the reasons for non-use of Environmental Control equipment 

Robotics in Care workshop – Presenting some Robots and audience discussion of potential strengths and challenges in using them in care contexts  CATCH

Kathryn Thom Bridging between protocols for Environmental Control – how do we access home automation technology?  Craig Smith

MHRA and why you need to know about us Catriona Blake, Sara Vincent



Internet-based Intervention for mobility Assistive Technology user’s and caregiver’s: setting priorities Claudine Auger – by Video



12.40

Lunch & Exhibition

14.00

MHRA workshop - Is it a medical device and the way to CE marking - Catriona Blake and Sara Vincent  Chair – Simon Fielden; Panel : Catriona Blake, Sara Vincent; joined by Simon Judge, Andrew Humphries

15.00-15.10

Close

Key for contributions  AAATE ; T4I  studies not requiring ethics,  novel knowledge transfer,  studies with ethical approval