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Research Programmes
IT Funk - ICT for the disabled
IT Funk is The Norwegian Research Council's RTD-programme on ICT for people with disability.
Universal design and accessibility for all. The purpose of IT Funk is to contribute to accessibility for all, including persons with disability, to information and communication technology (ICT) and to society through the use of ICT. ICT-based products and services developed for the general market must be accessible and useful for everyone at reasonable prices. IT Funk pays special attention to areas where accessibility issues impact on a person's life chances, such as education, employment and basic services to citizens.
IT Funk Newsletter
About IT Funk
The purpose of The IT Funk Programme is to contribute to accessibility for all - to ICT and to society at large through the use of ICT. IT Funk supports research, development, innovation and standardization of accessible ICT-based products and services and assistive ICT-based technology.
IT Funk targets businesses and institutions that research, develop, produce and distribute ICT-based products and services of importance for accessibility in society. In collaboration with other R&D-programmes, IT Funk provides financial support to projects based on universal design-principles and to projects on assistive technologies. Enterprises in the ICT sector are in charge of most of the projects, so that the products and services developed will be updated and available on the market.
NewsSelected news in English. More news (in Norwegian) see homepage: Nyheter.
AAL Investment Forum to help business ideas to marketThis year's AAL Forum in Denmark in September includes a new element: AAL Investment Forum. If you have a promising idea that you want to bring to the market, but lack the necessary financial resources to do so, the AAL Investment Forum will give you an opportunity to meet potential private investors. (July 27, 2010) Innovating with People - The Business of Inclusive Design A new book, "Innovating With People - The Business of Inclusive Design" was launched May 20 during the European Business Conference on Inclusive Design - Innovation for all 2010 in Oslo. The book provides a hands-on introduction to inclusive design as a strategy for better business: How to turn the challenges of an inclusive society into opportunities for profitable innovation. (June 1, 2010) SoundCloud - Winner of The 24 Hours Inclusive Design Challenge The award for the best idea in the 24h Design Challenge at the Innovation for All 2010 conference in Oslo in May, went to a concept called SoundCloud. This is a new service for photo and video enthusiasts: audio tags that make browsing through pictures a richer and more meaningful experience. (June 1, 2010) Inspiring Conference on Inclusive Design
The second European conference on inclusive design was held in Oslo May 20-21: Innovation for All 2010, drew an enthusiastic audience of designers, users and politicians. The event was opened by Her Royal Highness, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, who emphasized in her speech that "design represents an important opportunity to include all people - with all our different needs - and to enable everybody to take part in society. This is an opportunity we cannot miss." (June 1, 2010)
News Archive |
Norwegian Policy on Accessibility and Universal Design |
ProjectsExamples of IT Funk-supported projects, some of which have developed into major projects funded by EU or other international programmes:
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AALIT Funk is the Norwegian partner in the European programme Ambient Assisted Living (AAL). This is a joint research and development funding programme (2008 – 2013) involving 23 European countries, 20 EU Member States and 3 Associated States. The objective of AAL is to enhance the quality of life of older people through innovative ICT-solutions, and in the process also strengthen the industrial base in Europe in this area. For information on Norwegian participation in AAL Calls, see AAL Projects. For more information on the AAL Joint Programme: http://www.aal-europe.eu/about-aal |
Last updated 01.09.2010.
