University of Tartu – “Fostering Inclusion: Co-Design of Assistive Technologies” (2023–2024)
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Why is it a good practice of the Person-Centered Model?
Promotes the active participation of persons with disabilities as co-designers throughout the process, from identifying needs to validating prototypes. The work encourages reflection on ableism, fosters cooperation between students from different disciplines, and ensures that technological solutions are aligned with users’ everyday lives.
Integrated Assessment (Person, Family, Housing) and Life History
Academic initiative launched by the University of Tartu in 2023 to involve university students and people with disabilities in the co-design of assistive technologies. The project is being developed in an interdisciplinary environment, with innovation workshops and open forums aimed at creating prototypes that respond to real needs for accessibility and inclusion.
Personalised Care and Support Plan for the Life Project
Though it does not deliver a care plan as a social service would, the initiative allows each participant to influence a personalised technological solution tailored to their specific needs. Assistive tools developed through the project can be adapted to individual communication, mobility or sensory requirements — effectively offering a bespoke support plan, but in technological form.
Support groups
No formal therapy or social-support groups are provided. However, by bringing together users, researchers, students and advocacy organisations, the project creates an informal community of collaborators. This network enables peer exchange, shared learning, co-creation and community building — reinforcing social bonds and mutual support among participants.
Case Management and Resource Coordinator
The project itself does not manage individual cases or offer social services. Instead, it coordinates technical, academic, and user resources by assembling teams of developers, end-users, advocacy groups, and researchers. This coordination enables the design, testing, and distribution of assistive technologies — functioning as a resource centre for inclusion and innovation rather than a service provider.
Highlined results
Has increased inclusive awareness in the academic community, reduced ableist attitudes and favored production of functional prototypes. Additionally, has consolidated a stable collaboration model between the university and local associations of people with disabilities, with potential for continuity and international transfer. In early stages, participants reported satisfaction with the participatory design process and a sense of empowerment. Several working prototypes of assistive devices have been created, and some have continued development beyond the academic project timeframe, showing promise of sustainability. The initiative also fostered greater awareness about disability inclusion among students, researchers and community stakeholders, contributing to attitudinal change and increased social visibility.
Inspiring ideas for other enviorments. It can works! 😉
This model shows how combining academic research, user participation, and community collaboration can produce assistive solutions that are relevant, usable and dignified. Other regions or institutions can replicate this approach: establishing co-design labs where people with disabilities are central actors. It demonstrates that inclusive, person-centered assistive technology can come from participatory, bottom-up processes rather than top-down design.