Background

Technology and innovative solutions are making more and more a difference in our society as well as in paediatric rehabilitation. In fact, in some cases technologies and innovative solutions could improve rehabilitation practices in complementary with traditional approaches. However, most initiatives in this area relevant to our community are still mostly from local/regional initiatives, and which kind of technologies and innovations exactly are used, or not used, in paediatric rehabilitation at the moment is still rather unknown. Therefore, the EACD GMC installed this Task Force in 2020 with the aim to develop a vision at the European level by making visible the needs for people with childhood-onset disabilities and by promoting innovation targeted on this group.

Roles & Responsibilities

Primary Role

The EACD Technology & Innovation Task Force has been installed with the goal to foster (technology-driven) innovation with respect to childhood-onset disability practices

The EACD Technology & Innovation Task Force is responsible for:

• Informing and educating our core community about new technologies and innovative solutions to facilitate adoption and application, for example via the (co-)organisation of an Experience Room, Technology & Innovation Area or dedicated presentations at congresses and/or online events
• Overseeing the submission process for the Technology & Innovation Presentation Format at the Annual Meeting to ensure consistency in the quality of the presentations (in close collaboration with the local Scientific Congress Committee)
• Overseeing and carrying out the selection process of the EACD Technology & Innovation Award, aimed to highlight new technologies and innovative solutions
• Creating a community of like-minded individuals willing to promote and accelerate innovation through the Quadruple Innovation Helix Framework (e.g. through Technology & Innovation Special Interest Group / Innov4Child community / etc.) 
• Identifying and gathering stakeholders for the co-development of needs-driven technological solutions, for example via the (co-)organisation of Hackathon(s)

Members