Programs in
Assistive Technology Education
for End-Users in Europe

Name of the organisation
    FONDAZIONE "S. MAUGERI"
    Servizio di Fisiatria occupazionale ed ergonomia
Address
    Centro di Riabilitazione
    27040 Montescano (Pavia)
    ITALY
    Telephone: +39 385 247331
    Fax: +39 385 61386
Key Person of the organisation
    Giacomo Bazzini, head physician

This is a provider of health services mainly involved in rehabilitation activities and research. Educational activities began more than 10 years ago and are addressed to persons with disabilities and to families; they embrace the issues of AT, independent living and coping better with disability.

The educational activities carried out over the past 5 years can be classified as follows:

  • 6 seminars, in the form of monographic seminars, addressed to rehabilitation professionals and persons with disabilities;
  • 25 information activities, comprising round tables, periodicals, exchange of experiences, addressed to the above-mentioned target group;
  • activities addressed to the individual (150-250 interventions) in the form of advice, information services and advocacy, addressed to a target group of users, persons with disabilities, families and the elderly.

The role played by AT in these initiatives is important or very important. The AT-related areas most strongly represented are household activities, communication, mobility, general accessibility issues, vision, hearing, reading/writing, employment, etc.

TRAINING COURSES AND SEMINARS

All the monographic seminars listed hereafter were grouped by the compiler within a single detailed description, probably due to similarities in their organisational and implementation aspects.
Title of the initiative
Typology
Year
Duration

(in hrs.)
Number partic.
Target
Number teachers
Il disabile e la carrozzina

(The disabled and the wheelchair)

mon. sem.
1992
6
60
pers. with disab., fam., rehab. prof., soc. work.
2
Gli ausili nel neuroleso grave

(Aids for the severely neural impaired)

mon. sem.
1993
6
50
pers. with disab., rehab. prof., soc. work.
2
Tecniche e tecnologie per disabili

(Techniques and technologies for the disabled)

mon. sem.
1994
6
50
pers. with disab., rehab. prof., soc. work.
2
Software per la comunicazione

(Software for communication)

mon. sem.
1994
4
40
pers. with disab., fam., rehab. prof.
2
T.O. nei deficit manuali

(Occupational therapy in hand impairment)

mon. sem.
1994
6
60
rehab. prof.
1
Tecnologie e disabilità

(Technologies and disability)

mon. sem.
1996
8
30
pers. with disab., elderly, fam., rehab. prof., soc. work.
3

Selection

The activities were publicised by means of posters and advertisements in specialised journals, the latter proving to be the most effective. Mail was sent out to the organisation's address database and to other rehabilitation centres. The criteria for selecting participants were age (adults only), type of disability (motor impairment), and personal interest. Teachers and tutors were selected according to their level of expertise and no preference for those with disabilities was expressed.

Organisation

The activities were held on the organisation's premises in a space set up for the occasion, and special attention was paid to the seating arrangements; in-patients were usually invited to the seminar. A co-ordinator was in charge of the whole activity.

Implementation

The usual methodology was consisted of a lecture supported by the use of slides and accompanied by presentation and demonstration of products.

Learning by doing and discussion are the two pedagogical approaches of major interest.

No information on participants or feedback was collected.