Assistive technology supports maintenance or improvement of an individual’s functioning and independence, though for people in need the access to assistive products is not always guaranteed. This paper presents a generic quality framework for assistive technology service delivery that can be used independent of the setting, context, legislative framework, or type of technology. Based on available literature and a series of discussions among the authors, a framework was developed. It consists of 7 general quality criteria and four indicators for each of these criteria. The criteria are: accessibility; competence; coordination; efficiency; flexibility; user centeredness, and infrastructure. This framework can be used at a micro level (processes around individual users), meso level (the service delivery scheme or programme) or at a macro level (the whole country). It aims to help identify in an easy way the main strengths and weaknesses of a system or process, and thus guide possible improvements. As a next step in the development of this quality framework the authors propose to organise a global consultancy process to obtain responses from stakeholders across the world and to plan a number of case studies in which the framework is applied to different service delivery systems and processes in different countries.
This paper extends the use of a framework identifying four types of barriers to lifelong learning (LLL): institutional, situational, dispositional, and informational. Initially applied to Nordic universities, the framework is now used to interview global stakeholders about LLL provisioning. The study explores commonalities and differences across regions, and the frameworkandapos;s potential to highlight key barriers and enablers, informing strategic and policy changes. The countries involved are Denmark, Norway, Finland, Holland, and Singapore. Following the description from each country, it identifies institutional, situational, dispositional, and informational barriers, which are interrelated and influence LLL in a more global context. Challenges include funding, balancing job and family commitments, and the need for a learnercentric approach. The study reveals that LLL plays a minor role in universities, with insufficient encouragement despite being included in strategies. Major obstacles include restrictive legislation, bureaucratic boundaries, and unstable funding models. Overcoming these could enable nationwide or transnational platforms for LLL.
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During the last decades students have become a target group for cities like Amsterdam. They are addressed as the talented forces that cities need in order to face increasing global competitiveness, a force which itself is represented as giving cities their dynamic edge.
The research proposal aims to improve the design and verification process for coastal protection works. With global sea levels rising, the Netherlands, in particular, faces the challenge of protecting its coastline from potential flooding. Four strategies for coastal protection are recognized: protection-closed (dikes, dams, dunes), protection-open (storm surge barriers), advancing the coastline (beach suppletion, reclamation), and accommodation through "living with water" concepts. The construction process of coastal protection works involves collaboration between the client and contractors. Different roles, such as project management, project control, stakeholder management, technical management, and contract management, work together to ensure the project's success. The design and verification process is crucial in coastal protection projects. The contract may include functional requirements or detailed design specifications. Design drawings with tolerances are created before construction begins. During construction and final verification, the design is measured using survey data. The accuracy of the measurement techniques used can impact the construction process and may lead to contractual issues if not properly planned. The problem addressed in the research proposal is the lack of a comprehensive and consistent process for defining and verifying design specifications in coastal protection projects. Existing documents focus on specific aspects of the process but do not provide a holistic approach. The research aims to improve the definition and verification of design specifications through a systematic review of contractual parameters and survey methods. It seeks to reduce potential claims, improve safety, enhance the competitiveness of maritime construction companies, and decrease time spent on contractual discussions. The research will have several outcomes, including a body of knowledge describing existing and best practices, a set of best practices and recommendations for verifying specific design parameters, and supporting documents such as algorithms for verification.
Promoting entrepreneurship is an enabler of smart, sustainable and inclusive growth and it is one objective EU regions have pursued since the EC included it into 2020 Strategy. Entrepreneurship development has economic and social benefits, since it is not only a driving force for job creation, competitiveness and growth; it also contributes to personal fulfillment and to achieve social objectives. That is why the EU encourages entrepreneurial initiatives and to unlock the growth potential of businesses and citizens. However, only a 37% of Europeans (Eurobarometer 2012) would like to be self-employed. The Entrepreneurship Action Plan adopted by the EC in 2013 to reignite Europe’s entrepreneurial spirit includes initiatives for educating young people on entrepreneurship. To ensure that EU economy remains globally competitive, young generations of Europeans need to be inspired to develop their entrepreneurial mindset. EU 2020 Action Plan argues that young people benefitting of a specialised entrepreneurial education are more likely to start-up a business and to better tackle challenges in their professional career and life in general. Hence, there is good reason to ensure better quality of entrepreneurial education. Most approaches in recent years have focused on improving the skills or competences youngsters should obtain only within the education system. However, an integrated approach is needed, where the school, their friends, family and the social environment, shall play each one a relevant role, contributing to generate a more adequate atmosphere to boost their entrepreneurial mindsets, intrapreneurial attitudes and innovation capacities. This project will identify and exchange – through a quadruple helix approach- good practices for creating friendlier entrepreneurial ecosystems and actions to boost entrepreneurship in young people mindsets. The good practices and lessons learnt will be transferred into Action Plans to be included in regional policies.
Client: European Commission (DG-Enterprise), subcontracted through Comunitá Montana Associazione dei Comuni Trasimeno-Medio Tevere SLOW TOUR (Sustainable Lake Oriented Walking Tourism) is a project funded by the European Commission's DG Enterprise and Industry within the Programme Competiveness and Innovation Framework (CIP) under the call “Knowledge Networks for the competitiveness and sustainability of European tourism”.SLOW TOUR's goal is to make tourism on and around European lakes more sustainable and competitive. To achieve this, best-practices, certifications and networks in lake tourism were gathered and analysed within a coherent framework, leading to a “Manual of Excellence of Lake tourism in Europe” as its main product. CSTT's contribution was mainly focused on a Sustainability Impact Assessment of a number of European lake destinations, and the development of indicators and benchmarks for sustainable tourism products in lake areas.For SLOW TOUR, the NHTV Centre for Sustainable Tourism and Transport was subcontracted through Comunitá Montana Associazione dei Comuni Trasimeno - Medio Tevere (Italy). The other parties are Global Nature FUND, representing the Living Lakes network, and the University of Perugia. The project ran from June 2010 to November 2011.
