AAATE 2007 EXHIBITION

Dear all;

It is less than a month left for the next AAATE conference and the organisation is working very hard on it. As you all know, AAATE 2007 conference will have a exhibition where different AT products and services will be presented. We are glad to inform that we have great exhibitors and all of you will have the opportunity to visit them. Not just conference assistants but also general public will have the opportunity to join the exhibition room.

Exhibitors at the AAATE2007 are INFORMA HEALTHCARE, VODAFONE España, MEDLINK WEST MIDLANDS, SIADIS, FIK research, IOS PRESS, IBV - Asociación Instituto de Biomecánica de Valencia, HAZILAN - APTES, IRISCOM sistemas, Ortopedia OBEA, OSETECH, CEAPAT - IMSERSO, ONCE, NOKIA, ADIM LIFT and MEDICAL MOBILE.

Please, check the exhibition section at our web site to get more information and notice about new exhibitors.

Bussimess workshops

AAATE 2007 will not be just a scientific conference; but also a meeting point to discuss accessibility issues in different business activities. During the conference we will look for example how technologies can improve the access of people with disabilities to labour market. Elhabe (http://www.ehlabe.org/ ) and Aptes (http://www.tecnologiasocial.org/ )will organise an specific workshop in this topic, a workshop that will be open not just to conference assistants but also to everyone interested on it. The programme will be soon available at the web site. This workshop will show which is the actual situation regarding labour integration of people with disabilities in the area of the Basque Country and the results that companies such as Gureak, Katea Legaia or Lantegi Batuak are achieving in this field. At the same time, Aptes will illustrate the potential that new technologies have in promoting the integration of people with disabilities in labour market by explaining some running projects.

Microsoft at AAATE 2007

Dear all!!!

It is a pleasure to announce that Rob Sinclair, Director of Microsoft Accessible Technology Group will open the next AAATE 2007 conference with an special keynote speech.

The opening session will start October 3rd at 9:15 and after institutional opening, Rob Sinclair will illustrate us with the work Microsoft is doing regarding accessibility.

Microsoft, leader in the software industry, has been one of the main promoters of accessible software, keeping the responsibility to raise the accessible technology standard for the entire industry. These tradition has been the basis for the recently launched Windows Vista, which is the first exponent of Accessible Technology from Microsoft.

Rob Sinclair is one of the chief architects of Microsoft User Interface (UI) Automation, Microsoft's innovative accessibility model. He also has 15 patents pending, most for advances in accessible technology. While Sinclair's team focuses on helping Microsoft and partner companies create technology that empowers individuals with disabilities and other difficulties, the benefits of those solutions are not limited to those who experience physical or cognitive impairments—and neither is his vision for accessible technology.

I invite you all to attend this opening session and join one of the most expert in accessible technology.

See you soon!!!!

You are all invited to assist the Opening Ceremony!!

(Picture of the Danza Mobile Company dancers)

The Danza Mobile Company will open, next October 2, the 9th European Conference for the Advancement of Assistive Technologies.

Since this contemporary dance company was set up in 1999, it has performed several spectacles; "bad occupation", "continue beating" , "l'image", "frozen tongues"... amongst others.

In this ocassion, they will perform their latest show "Jaquelado", a 50 minutes long show that will present Manuel Cañadas's choreography.

+ info. please visit: http://www.danzamobile.es/cia/index.php

Conference Official Dinner!!!!

(Picture of the Beko Errota Restaurant)

The Beko Errota Restaurant is located in a traditional Basque country house in Hondarribia.
The continuous renewal and extension of the interior and exterior area, have become Beko-Errota into the best place for multitudinous congress celebrations.
All assistants will have the opportunity to enjoy a traditional Basque spectacle that will combine local sports and dances.

October 4th 20.00 h: A great opportunity to taste the Basque gastronomy!!!

+ info. please visit: http://www.bekoerrota.com/

On-Line registration is open!!!

Please visit our web site (www.fatronik.com/aaate2007/) for more information on conference registration and accommodation. If you have any comment please do not hesitate to contact the Technical secretariat at larraitz@lankor.com .

I hope to see you in San Sebastian!!!

Best paper award !!!

We received great number of contributions from all around the world; thank you very much to all of you. It is out of doubt that Assistive Technology is a hot topic and fortunately lot of people is working hard to improve quality of life of people with disabilities.
The scientific committee did a hard work and all contributions were rated. Unfortunately, due to the amount of papers, not all them were accepted as oral communications, but those not accepted will have the chance to bet at the conference as poster.
Deadline for full paper submission is June 15th and from those submitted, best paper will be selected by the scientific committee. The best paper will be awarded and the winner will be announced during the conference.
So, I will encourage you all to make an effort on describing you work/project/experience in the best way so you can get this award. Good luck!!