On 4th December 2021, Anne Rabbitte, Minister of State for Disabilities, Ireland, announced a new one-off Digital and Assistive Technology (DAT) Fund of €2 million for projects that will help improve the participation and independence of the participation people with disabilities.
The fund managed by the National Clinical Programme for People with Disability (NCPPD) and Disability Operations areas of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) aims to improve access to DAT for people with disabilities, improve their participation and independence, and reduce their social isolation.
The projects will have to facilitate service providers to deliver more accessible and efficient DAT services in the disability sector and initiate broad systems focusing on sharing DAT resources across organizations providing services to people with disabilities.
Minister Rabbitte said Assistive technologies could range from wheelchairs, a magnifying glass for someone with visual impairment, a smartphone app, to a smart speaker. The Irish Government has ratified the United Nations Convention on the Right of People with Disabilities (UNCRPD). An essential part of this is the right of the people to access DAT.
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