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Conferences

In terms of the conferences, 60% of the speakers will be international, split over two days:

  • December 10: focussed on understanding the demand for technology of the different groups of disabled and elderly users, as well as good practices from international models for independent life.
  • December 11: focussed upon presenting the range of products and technological tendencies which fulfil the users’ needs, as well as understanding the situation of this business sector and which obstacles may limit its development.

 

Download the brochure of the conferences in PDF format:
AbleTech’08 Brochure

 

December 10 - NEEDS
(Users and Public Administration)
9:00 Welcome/Accreditation
9:30 Opening ceremony

  • Joseba Jauregizar
  • Izaskun Artetxe
  • Juan Mº Aburto
  • Dr. Jane Barratt
  • Nadège Riche
10:15 Opening conference

  • Dr. Andrew Sixsmith
11:00 Coffee break
Visit assistive products exhibition
11:30 Session 1. Independent life at home
Presentation of examples of best international practices which enable people to remain in their own homes for as long as possible, making use of technology. To include the participation of public administrations and leading institutions in the field.

  • Pedro Fernández de Larrinoa (Moderator)
  • Michael Huch
  • Kalevi Virta
  • Sita Kishna
  • Steve Barnard
13:30 Lunch
15:00 Session 2. Activities outside the home
Different international organisations will set out how dependent people overcome the barriers which they may face in accessing employment, education, and leisure activities, by using technology.

  • Nàdege Riche (Moderator)
  • Martin Bünk
  • Helena Ruiz Fabra
  • Julián García Villalobos
17:00 Break
Visit assistive products exhibition
17:15 Session 3. A day in the life of…
…anonymous people with disabilities and elderly people recount their everyday experiences, identifying the barriers that they face and the support they have and need from technology.

  • Jose María Alonso (Moderator)
  • ONCE
  • CNSE
  • ASPACE
  • FEKOOR
  • GORABIDE
  • INGEMA
19:30 Dance show: BARRERAS (Barriers)
20:00 Cocktail
December 11 - SOLUTIONS
(Companies and Research Centres)
9:00 Session 4. Safety and autonomy in the home
Companies and research centres will present their latest products and the current trends in the field of autonomy in the home, paying particular attention to telecare and videocare.

  • Antonio Remartínez (Moderator)
  • Sergio Murillo
  • Alfonso Domínguez
  • Dr. Andreas Bley
  • Eukene Gil
11:00 Coffee break
Visit assistive products exhibition
11:30 Session 5. Active ageing
Presentation of products, services and research projects which help elderly people to play an active role in society, by feeling included in it. Companies have already identified this group as the target audience for specific products and services, due to the size that it has reached.

  • Cristina Rodríguez-Porrero Miret (Moderator)
  • Dr. Jane Barratt
  • Aitor Pérez Artertxe
13:30 Lunch
15:00 Session 6. Accessibility through electronic devices
Technology is a medium that enables people with disabilities to access the environment around them, making communication, orientation, information, interaction and any other essential activity easier for them. During this session, commercial products and research trends will be presented.

  • Eva Armesto (Moderator)
  • Juha Häikiö
  • Klaus-Peter Wegge
  • Lydia Montandón
17:00 Break
Visit assistive products exhibition
17:15 Session 7. The international assistive technologies industry
Presentation of the conclusions of the study carried out by the European Commission in 2008 on the current status of the European assistive technologies industry related to information technologies. Presentation of European company experiences in tackling the assistive technology sector, identifying the opportunities, needs and barriers that they detect.

  • François Junique (Moderator)
  • Jennifer Stack
  • Dr. Luis Azevedo
  • Blanca Alcanda
19:15 Conference

  • Inmaculada Placencia Porrero
19:30 Official close

  • Alberto Fernández
  • Juan Carlos Rodríguez
19:45 Closing Cocktail