In the Erre mulig (Is it possible? in Norwegian) project we explore how information and communication technology (ICT) can support children and adolescents with ADHD and/or autism and their families to organise and manage their everyday activities. The term ICT encompasses both mainstream products such as smartphones, tablets and digital services, as well as assistive technology (AT) specially developed to cater for special needs, e.g. cognitive impairments.
Past projects have shown that ICT can play an important role supporting these groups with their daily activities. In Norway these relatively large and heterogeneous groups have unmet needs for technological assistance. This pertains both to the range and suitability of the actual ICT solutions offered, as well as the provision process itself.
The ultimate goal of Erre mulig is to facilitate increased activity and societal participation and improved quality of life for children and adolescents with ADHD and/or autism and their families. To achieve this we will develop and try out innovative ICT set ups suited to the particular needs of the user groups, and conduct service innovation in the public sector through the development of a comprehensive and user centred provision of ICT and AT.
We will focus on technology that can assist the children to better organise and manage their lives at home and in school. The project partners and advisory board comprise of key actors locally and nationally in Norway from professional and end user organisations. SINTEF is the project leader, and Nøtterøy municipality the project owner. Other partners are the municipalities of Tønsberg and Fredrikstad, Buskerud and Vestfold University College, NAV Center for vocational rehabilitation and assistive technology, and NAV Østfold and Vestfold Assistive Technology Centres. Industry partners will be invited to join as the project progresses. We will seek to share information and knowledge with other national and international R&D endeavours.
A key activity in the project is practical testing and evaluation of ICT with end users. This is organised through pilots in the participating municipalities. We will work closely with the children, their families and the local public support systems (education, health etc.) in the development and trialling of ICT and different methodologies of its provision.
The project receives funding from the Regional Research Fund Oslo fjord.
Besides managing the project, SINTEF will actively take part in all the project activities including the pilots.