A European network of leading Institutions in assistive technology and e-accessibility
ETNA is an EU-wide network involving 23 leading Institutions in 13 Countries. It will work for three years to establish a web portal of ICT-based assistive technology products, accessibility solutions and related services.
Assistive technologies, especially those based on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) are a powerful driver for inclusion and quality of life of people with disabilities and elderly people. Indeed, they contribute to compensate for functional limitations and help tackle barriers in all types of environment, thus playing an increasingly central role in equalising opportunities. However, ensuring access to ICT assistive equipment, systems and services is not straightforward.
Information on ATs and e-accessibility solutions is patchy, not well distributed or simply absent; the needed knowledge and expertise are in the hands of few specialists scattered throughout Europe; the ICT AT market is still a niche dominated by highly specialised SMEs.The ETNA Thematic Network, set up in January 2011, is aimed at handling this issue.
Project Leader:
Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi Onlus
The Project is co-ordinated by the Biomedical Technology Department (Polo Tecnologico) of the Don Carlo Gnocchi Foundation, based in Milano, Italy.