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Apple, fabric or plasticine: creating a mouse for all

Apple, fabric or plasticine: creating a mouse for all

08-04-2016

Testing is under way for Click4all, a do-it-yourself IT kit enabling disabled persons to fully access computer technology

Testing is under way for Click4all, a do-it-yourself IT kit enabling disabled persons to fully access computer technology: a partnership of AlmavivA with Fondazione Asphi Onlus and Istituto Leonarda Vaccari

Rome, 8 April 2016 - Fabric, plasticine, an apple or just plain water. Even the most common everyday objects and materials can become touch sensors, in the place of a mouse, keypad or joystick. Creative and bespoke tools that can enable disabled persons to interact with a PC, smartphone and tablet, to learn or communicate, as well as to play games, instruments, view photos and much more besides.

The Click4all project is now in full swing: in partnership with AlmavivA and Istituto Leonarda Vaccari, testing of the do-it-yourself IT kit, designed by Asphi Onlus, will begin on Monday, 11 April. Click4all, winner of the “Think for Social” competition launched by Fondazione Vodafone, is a re-educational/rehabilitation IT kit that includes all the basic components enabling a person to build his or her own tailored system, based on the use of adaptable interfaces compatible with his or her skills and cognitive, motor and sensory abilities. Persons affected by complex disabilities - who are unable to use keypads, a mouse and standard touchscreens - may use real, colorful and familiar objects: simply by touching an object connected with a Click4all interface, the person may immediately interact with a computer, and the object used can be changed at any time. A computer can therefore be operated by means of a piece of fruit, a toy or any conductive material, like water, fabric, plasticine, pencil drawings...

Click4all can be used to create infinite innovative solutions because it works like a multi-platform that links via bluetooth or usb to a computer, tablet or smartphone with any operating system. The kit can be configured by means of a graphic software, in a user-friendly way, deciding which commands to associate with the self-built sensors or sensors available on the assistive technologies market.

Click4all aims to ensure a new type of access that can revolutionize the concept of IT aid and enable the largest possible number of disabled people to tap digital information and services. The 10-month test phase will see the involvement of a group of users of the Istituto Vaccari, educators and family members, with a view to verifying whether Click4all can encourage the participation of people with serious cognitive and/or motor disabilities to use technology, measuring their level of involvement, attention span, motivation, interaction effectiveness and gratification.

Link to the Click4all video