The prize for the winning proposal is 240,000 euros • Israel participates in an international program for the second time
The ONCE organization for the blind was founded in 1938 in Spain, with the aim of rehabilitating and optimally integrating the blind and visually impaired into the community and professional life, by adapting advanced technologies for the use of this population.
Every two years ONCE holds an international R&D grant program for new technologies, Israeli scientists are invited to participate in the competition for the second time. As part of the program, one prize of 240,000 euros will be awarded.
In the previous competition, 52 projects from 18 countries around the world were submitted, the project that won was a special software that allows the blind to read documents using mobile devices, submitted by the Spanish company Robotiker Tecnalia. In previous competitions, projects from the USA, Sweden, and England won. From Israel, the scientist Mordechai Yosef participated in the last competition, who submitted a project dealing with systems and methods for guiding the blind.
Through the competition grant, ONCE wishes to encourage technological-scientific developments that may improve or help overcome limitations of people suffering from problems of poor vision. Accordingly, the proposals competing in the competition will focus on the following fields: engineering, artificial intelligence, computer science, communication, micro-technologies and nano-electronics. The relevant research areas are:
• Hardware and software - which facilitate access to information found on digital support, computers, telematic networks and paper.
• Systems that allow access to PDAs, mobile phones, "smart home" (domotics), and home appliances.
• Accessibility to information systems at bus stations and buses and train stations.
• Innovations related to digital television as well as accessibility to DVD devices.
The competition opens for the submission of proposals, with the last date for submission being September 5, 2008.
The conditions of the competition are published On the organization's website
About ONCE:
The Spanish Organization for the Blind (ONCE) is an association of a social nature in accordance with public law, founded in 1938 with the aim of bringing about personal independence and full social integration of the blind in Spain. The institution operates according to the laws of the Spanish government while cooperating with it. The goal of the organization is to educate and rehabilitate the blind from the moment he was born or from the moment he lost his sight and integrate him fully, as much as possible, into society. For this purpose, the organization provides this population free of charge with technological tools that will help them integrate into studies or work. ONCE extends its commitment to this group of disabled people outside of Spain as well - through branch collaborations.
