The Croatian Academic and Research Network – CARNET today presented the results and advancements of another successfully implemented project – Enhanced Tools For Creating Equal Opportunities In Education For Pupils With Disabilities – ATTEND. The primary goal of this initiative was to create conditions that contribute to equal educational opportunities for children with developmental challenges and to facilitate their better and more successful integration into society.
At the closing conference, the attendees were welcomed by Vlatka Marčan, the project initiator and Deputy CEO of CARNET for the National Coordination Center for Industry, Technology, and Research in Cybersecurity.
The implementation of the ATTEND project began on July 1, 2021, with CARNET as the lead organization, alongside the Educational and Rehabilitation Faculty of the University of Zagreb (ERF), the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing of the University of Zagreb (FER), and the City of Reykjavik as project partners.
ERF and FER conducted training, capacity building, and skill development for staff from educational institutions participating in the project. In addition to educational support, a new Assistive Technology Laboratory (AT Lab) was established at the Educational and Rehabilitation Faculty, and the existing Augmentative Communication Laboratory was further equipped. The faculties also contributed to creating a catalog of assistive equipment purchased under the project, while FER developed a serious game called uklUČILICA (ENG: ATTENDly).
The Department of Education and Youth of the City of Reykjavik organized training sessions and best practice examples for Croatian directors and staff from educational institutions, familiarizing them with institutional frameworks, funding models, methods of professional support for parents in Iceland, and other forms of support for the education of children with developmental difficulties.
As beneficiaries, a total of 34 educational institutions from 22 cities across Croatia participated in the project, which equipped them with assistive technology—hardware and software tools related to the use of digital technology, computers, mobile phones, electronic devices, as well as non-technological solutions aimed at promoting, maintaining, and improving functional capabilities and enhancing the quality of life for children with developmental challenges.
Assistive technology has a broad application and is not solely focused on education; it also pertains to activities of daily living. Therefore, in addition to providing equipment, numerous training sessions were organized for the directors and staff of the mentioned institutions to help them implement the new equipment effectively in their work with children.
As part of the ATTEND project, a total of 5,686 pieces of assistive technology equipment have been delivered, already benefiting over 1,750 students. Additionally, 75 workshops were organized for more than 1,450 participants, five webinars, and an e-course completed by 1,152 participants.
The project, valued at over 4.24 million euros, was implemented under the Local Development and Poverty Reduction program and was co-financed with 85% funding from the Financial Mechanism of the European Economic Area, while the remaining portion was financed from the state budget.
For more information about the project, visit the ATTEND website.
