25-02-2013

AlmavivA with Context Aware at Fiemme 2013, the first barrier free world championships

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At the press conference for the Nordic Ski World Championships Trentino Fiemme 2013, held on 15 February, AlmavivA presented its Context Aware-Trentino Accessibile project, sponsored by the Health & Welfare Department of the Autonomous Province of Trento and representing the first result of the industrialization phase of the much broader innovation project co-financed by  AlmavivA and the Autonomous Province of Trento.

The aim is to foster and support the informed mobility of disabled persons and enable everyone to attend an event that will be placing Trentino at the center of the World stage, on 20 February, the Nordic Ski World Championships 2013 in the Val di Fiemme.

Developed by AlmavivA, with Informatica Trentina and the social cooperative HandiCREA, the app, available in Italian and English, displays on a map the barrier-free facilities closest to the user in the two largest communes of Trentino, Trento and Rovereto, and in the 6 communes that will be hosting the forthcoming ski championships.
Only two steps are needed to use the service: downloading the application free of charge and signing in through the dedicated portal - www.contextaware.provincia.tn.it.

Once this has been done, thanks to the Android app installed in a smartphone or tablet, disabled persons who want to attend the Nordic Ski World Championships can find all the information on barrier-free facilities, retail outlets, ski pistes, filtered according to geographical location and type of disability.
Simultaneously with the data collection phase, AlmavivA and Informatica Trentina designed and developed:

• An information system for the streamlined digitization and consultation of the collected data, by HandiCREA
• The Context Aware platform and portal, for user registration and posting data in open format
• The Trentino Accessibile Androdi app allowing users to consult mobility data.
  

In the short term, further improvements will be introduced to facilitate and extend the application and its content:

• An advanced search function usable by both the HandiCREA cooperative and the public, through both the portal and the app
• The new version of the app for Apple and Android platforms.
  

Moreover, in 2013, a further survey will be carried out with a view to doubling the number of facilities included in the database.

The project proves how the use of innovatory technology can effectively improve social inclusion and mobility of both disabled persons and persons with objective mobility problems.
Freedom of movement is a very precious resource and the availability of real time, easily accessible information on barrier-free venues can make life easier for and enhance the quality of life for everyone.