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FCT promotes inclusion and digital literacy of the Portuguese

An "Integrated System for Increased Autonomy of the Blind" is a mobile digital platform developed at the Institute for Systems Engineering and Computers, Technology and Science - INESC TEC , aimed at blind people or people with reduced vision. In the same line of research was developed an electronic cane to facilitate the mobility of these people and also an application that allows receiving geographic information via cell phone. The availability of these technologies aims to facilitate the inclusion of blind people in the digital society, as well as contribute to improving their quality of life. The idea was presented by João Barroso, project coordinator and INESC TEC researcher.

ild2015tr Thinking of people with mental disabilities, Tânia Rocha, from the University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto doutro (UTAD), presented the project entitled "Accessible Interaction Metaphor for text-free Web browsing". As part of her doctoral thesis, the researcher developed a digital environment based on iconic language that makes websites more accessible and allows the target audience to explore electronic information autonomously.      

The program included the presentation of the results and impact of two of the projects awarded in 2014: the "LIDIA Project - Digital Literacy of Adults", led by Joana Viana of the Institute of Education of the University of Lisbon, and the project "AccessWeb, Barometer of web accessibility in Portugal" coordinated by Ramiro Gonçalves of INESC TEC.

To help characterize and understand the evolution of digital literacy levels in the various regions of our country (Regional Digital Index), updated data from the study conducted at the University of Minho by Luís Miguel Ferreira, on "Regional Asymmetries of the Information Society in Portugal", were also disclosed. The session continued with the communication "(Future) scenarios of the Information Society in Portugal", by Luís Vidigal, from the Association for the Promotion and Development of the Information Society (APDSI).

The Digital Inclusion and Literacy Award is promoted by the FCT, as patron of the ICT and Society Network for the coordination of public policies for the Information and Knowledge Society in Portugal. It aims to support innovative initiatives in the area of digital inclusion and literacy, which present themselves as models of good practice, with the capacity for replication or expansion to other regions and/or other population groups.

The 2015 edition received 58 applications from entities with projects in the area of digital citizenship. The promoters of the awarded projects will receive a total of 50,500 € to boost their innovative ideas and launch them on the market.

The 2015 ILD Awards ceremony held at the Lisbon Academy of Sciences was attended by Ana Sanchez, Member of the FCT Board of Directors, and Ana Neves, responsible for the FCT's Information Society Department.