Minister of State for Disabilities, Anne Rabbitte, announced a further €750,000 in funding for 9 projects under the Health Service Executive’s Cooperative Real Engagement for Assistive Technology Enhancement (CREATE) initiative.
CREATE II is the second iteration of the CREATE initiative, which was initially launched in January 2022, and aims to improve access to Digital and Assistive Technologies (DAT) that can make real changes to the day to day experiences of people with disabilities. The funding announced by Minister Rabbitte will enable the ongoing implementation and sustainability of selected projects.
Announcing the allocation of the funding, Minister Rabbitte said:
“After seeing the positive results of the CREATE initiative, I was keen to further support the sustained development of assistive technology projects that I know are having a meaningful impact on people with disabilities. Digital and Assistive Technologies enable people with disabilities to live more independent lives and I am proud of having the opportunity to help progress this initiative. There is such scope to invest and support the development of assistive technology programme and initiatives, and it is certainly an area I will be looking to fund further in 2024.”
Dr Rosemary Gowran, HSE Clinical Lead National Clinical Programme for People with Disability, said:
“Assistive Technology is a gateway to enhancing health, inclusion, wellbeing and participation. The National Clinical Programme for People with Disability, working to support the implementation of the UNCRPD, is delighted that funding has been made available to support an implementation phase of Digital and Assistive Technology demonstrator projects funded in CREATE I in 2021.
The intention of CREATE II, is to support the implementation CREATE I Digital and Assistive Technology demonstrator projects, connecting commonalities at local, regional and national levels toward long-term delivery and sustainability of assistive technology service innovations. One of the key aims of the CREATE initiative is to enable organisations to work collaboratively, to stimulate greater assistive technology systems improvements across sectors and in doing so make a significant contribution to Digital and Assistive Technology.”
In recent years, Ireland has made great progress in developing a national and an international reputation in the field of Digital and Assistive Technology, notably through its collaboration with the World Health Organisation, with Minister Rabbitte commenting:
“Ireland’s contributions to this this area of digital and assistive technology cannot be understated, including our work with the World Health Organisation. We were involved in the development of the WHO’s Priority Assistive Products List which includes 50 priority assistive products, selected on the basis of widespread need and impact on a person’s life. Ireland was also involved with the launch of the WHO’s Global Report on Assistive Technology in 2022, when the then Taoiseach Micheál Martin delivered the key note address.
“CREATE projects support people across all age ranges with sensory, cognitive, physical, and intellectual disabilities, enabling them to contribute to their communities through work, leisure, and most importantly, through social participation,” .
