Bridging the Gap: The Power of Assistive Technology to Improve Education Support for Children with Developmental Disabilities in Croatia

Croatian schools and institutions have been equipped with assistive technology, including computers, mobile phones, electronic devices, and non-technological solutions, to improve the functional abilities and quality of life of children with developmental disabilities. The project was led by CARNET and involved 34 institutions in 22 cities across Croatia. The Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation of the University of Zagreb (ERF), the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science of the University of Zagreb (FER), and the City Reykjavik were project partners in implementing the ATTEND project.

Training sessions were provided to directors and employees of educational institutions to efficiently use the new equipment in working with children with developmental disabilities. A total of 5,686 pieces of assistive technology equipment were delivered to the institutions, benefitting over 1750 students. Multiple workshops, webinars, and an e-course were organized for more than 1450 participants to enhance their skills. ERF and FER also established a new Laboratory for Assistive Technology (AT Lab) and a Catalog of assistive equipment purchased as part of the project.

The City of Reykjavik organized trainings and shared examples of good practices for Croatian directors and employees of educational institutions, introducing them to institutional frameworks and support systems for children with developmental disabilities. The project was co-financed from the European Economic Area Financial Mechanism at 85%, with the remaining part coming from the state budget.

The aim of ATTEND was to improve education support for children with developmental disabilities through assistive technology implementation. This initiative has benefited thousands