Revolutionizing Accessibility: 34 Croatian Schools Receive Cutting-Edge Technology for Children with Disabilities

In Croatia, 34 schools in 22 cities have been outfitted with cutting-edge technology to assist children with disabilities. This includes a range of hardware and software solutions, as well as non-technological tools designed to improve functional abilities and enhance the overall quality of life for these students. The successful completion of the ATTEND project, led by CARNET, was showcased at a final conference on April 24.

The University of Zagreb’s Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation (ERF) and Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (FER), along with the City of Reykjavik, were key partners in implementing the project, which began in July 2021. Training sessions were provided to school administrators and staff to ensure they could effectively utilize the new equipment when working with students with disabilities.

A total of 5,686 pieces of assistive technology equipment were delivered to the schools, benefiting more than 1750 students. In addition to training sessions, multiple workshops, webinars, and an e-course were organized for over 1450 participants in order to enhance their skills. ERF and FER also established a new Assistive Technology Laboratory (AT Lab) and a catalog of assistive technology equipment purchased as part of the project.

The City of Reykjavik organized training sessions and shared best practices with Croatian school administrators and staff, introducing them to institutional frameworks and support systems for students with disabilities. The project was co-financed by the European Economic Area Financial Mechanism and the state budget.

Overall, the ATTEND project aimed to enhance the education and support provided to children with disabilities through assistive technology, benefitting thousands of students across Croatia while improving the capabilities of educational institutions.