People with intellectual disabilities (ID) are generally undersupplied with assistive technology. The ID community is not yet fully aware of the opportunities AT use could offer. According to recent definitions of Assistive Technology (CEN-ISO 9999) persons with disabilities may benefit from AT at a functional level (i.e. to reduce the impact of difficulties decrease of disability), in the performance of activities and in participation in society.

The Assistive Technology Affinity Group (ATAG) believes that people with ID and those that support them and work with them (including professional caregivers) should receive appropriate information, based on a solid evidence base, in order to increase and promote the beneficial opportunities of using AT.

ATAG will seek to prepare symposia on current state of the art work at IASSID events. Between IASSID events, the group's activities will include e-mail discussion, co-ordinating and starting activities, sharing of ideas and resources and dissemination of information. A key aim will be to generate shared research interests and ideas with a view to developing European projects among members of the group

Founding Affinity Group Members:
- Dick van der Pijl M.Sc. (iRv, Institute for Rehabilitation Research - The Netherlands)
- Manon Verdonschot M.Sc. (iRv, Institute for Rehabilitation Research - The Netherlands)
- Dr. Léon Adriaens (Stichting Pepijn en Paulus - The Netherlands)
- Dr. Sarah Parsons (School of Education, University of Birmingham - United Kingdom)
- Dr. David Brown (School of Computing and Informatics, Nottingham Trent University - United Kingdom)
- Ann Aspinall (HfT, Home Farm Trust - United Kingdom)

ATAG is an initiative which stems from IASSID members. We anticipate and welcome to close co-operation with the national an international Associations in the domain of AT for people with Intellectual Disabilities.

We invite all persons active or interested in the deployment of AT by, for and with intellectual disabled persons to join the Assistive Technology Affinity Group

Affinity Group Contact Person:
iRv, Institute for rehabilitation Research
Manon Verdonschot M.Sc.
e-mail : [email protected]
P.O. Box 192
6430 AD Hoensbroek
+31 (0)45 523 75 37