TechSocialcare

How many assistive technologies does one person use in a single day? 🤔

Probably more than you think.

A person with hearing loss starts his day with a vibrating alarm clock ⏰. Throughout the day, he relies on hearing aids 🦻 connected to his smartphone 📱, hearing loops, live captions during online meetings 💬, and speech-to-text transcription at conferences 🎤.

Not one technology. An entire ecosystem. 🔗

This is why assistive technology isn't only about developing innovative devices. It's about making them work together seamlessly, safely, and accessibly. ♿

So how can we make this work across different needs and across Europe? 🌍

Our answer is clear: common standards for basic functionality and implementation. ✅

🚫 Social services are not ready for technology.

☝️That's not what we found.

One of the biggest surprises from our Czech Policy Instrument Analysis 🔎⚖️ was that none of the surveyed social service providers reported a negative attitude towards modern technologies. In fact, most described their attitude as positive.

So what's holding innovation back?

It's not a lack of interest.
It's a lack of practical guidance.

Providers are asking for:
💡 independent advice on choosing the right solutions,
🔗 technologies that work together instead of creating isolated systems,
💶 sustainable funding beyond one-off grants,
📚 and practical implementation support for staff.

The message is clear: social services are ready to innovate. Now it's time to give them the tools, knowledge and confidence to do it.

That's exactly what TechSocialcare aims to support.

💳 One chip. Less paperwork. More time for care.

What if a single card could simplify everyday work in social services?

One of the TechSocialcare Good Practices shows exactly that. A digital MIFARE-based system allows care professionals to:
✔️ clock in and out,
✔️ securely access buildings and digital systems,
✔️ record care activities directly at the point of care.

Instead of filling in paperwork later, information is automatically transferred to electronic care records, reducing administrative burden and improving the accuracy of documentation. The system is already used across 14 social care services in Kroměříž, helping staff spend less time on administration and more time supporting people. 🌍

This is exactly the kind of practical innovation TechSocialcare wants to promote: technologies that don't replace care—they make it easier to deliver.

Could a solution like this work in your organisation? Let us know in the comments. 👇

What if accessibility was not an extra feature, but a standard?

On this year’s Global Accessibility Awareness Day, we want to highlight the important role assistive technologies play in helping people stay independent, connected and active for longer.

From smart support systems to communication and safety tools, assistive technologies can make everyday life easier not only for older adults, but for everyone facing physical, cognitive or social barriers.

At TechSocialcare, we believe accessibility is not just about technology itself — it is about making care, services and society more inclusive and usable for all.

Our Greek partners have been busy! 🇬🇷

Over the past weeks, the .gr (Industrial Systems Institute) has been actively promoting TechSocialcare and contributing to policy and stakeholder dialogue at both national and international level.

At the 14th Health Forum in Patras, TechSocialcare was presented as a practical example of how innovative technologies can support healthy and active ageing, improve quality of life and enhance care services for older people.

Earlier, Industrial Systems Institute together with the Greek Ministry of Health co-organised a stakeholder meeting in Athens, bringing together key actors to strengthen cooperation, exchange knowledge and co-develop solutions for more effective and human-centred care systems.

Vidzemes plānošanas reģions organised a stakeholder meeting at the Nacionālais rehabilitācijas centrs Vaivari in Latvia, bringing together public authorities, service providers and experts.

The discussion highlighted several concrete gaps:
👉 complex and bureaucratic processes for accessing assistive technologies
👉 limited range of state-funded devices
👉 lack of technical standards and testing requirements
👉 technologies often go unused due to missing follow-up and support

Participants also pointed out the need for clearer responsibilities across the system and stronger links between healthcare, social services and technology providers.