NaviLens, a code system that guides individuals with visual impairments in public spaces

Laura Hurtado on 24 April 2024

Imatges Posts Web 64 min 2
Publications Bank of innovations

NaviLens, a code system that guides individuals with visual impairments in public spaces

Neosistec

NaviLens

A code system with relevant information about public spaces to increase the autonomy of people with visual impairments

Individuals with visual impairments face difficulties in performing everyday tasks, such as locating restrooms, recognizing which bus is in front of them, or reading a street sign. To address this issue, NaviLens has been created, a system of labels with codes, similar to barcodes or QR codes, that provides useful information to facilitate the mobility of people with visual impairments in public spaces.

To read the information contained in the signs, all that is needed is to download an application and move the mobile device around the area where the code is located. Without the need to approach closely, NaviLens labels can be read from a distance, while in motion, and with the camera unfocused. These are some of the main differences compared to QR codes, which are of little use to people with visual impairments as they require proximity to be interpreted with a mobile device. This implies that users must know beforehand where they are located.

Once the code is detected, a “click” is heard, and the application vocalizes the information. For example, the stop number where the user is located, the transportation schedule, the position relative to the space, etc. It can also be used in cultural events such as museums or exhibitions, with informative labels about the route or artistic works.

Additionally, some product brands are using NaviLens on the labels of their items to provide information about the components or usage. The application also allows for the identification of personal use objects, as the codes can be printed and stuck onto any surface.

Characteristics of innovation

, , , , , ,

Localization

Murcia, Spain

Partners / Funders

Mobile Vision Research Lab (University of Alicante) and CIDAT

Genesis

NaviLens is a project by Neostistec that was created in 2017, after five years of development, with the aim of helping people with visual impairments navigate unfamiliar spaces and obtain information about products or services in a more accessible manner.

Level of implementation

Since 2017, NaviLens has been implemented in urban transport, museums, and cultural spaces in more than 130 countries across five continents. Furthermore, the application is available in 36 different languages. Among other organizations, Transportes Metropolitanos de Barcelona (TMB) incorporated NaviLens labels throughout the bus and metro network in 2019. The project won the Connecting for Good award from the Vodafone Foundation.

More information

NaviLens Neosistec

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Imatges Posts Web 64 min 2

NaviLens, a code system that guides individuals with visual impairments in public spaces

NaviLens is a code system with relevant information about public spaces to increase the autonomy of people with visual impairments.
Mentegram, therapeutic monitoring of patients in mental health treatment

Mentegram, therapeutic monitoring of patients in mental health treatment

Mentegram is a tool that allows evaluating and monitoring the daily behavior of individuals in therapeutic treatment.
Pycipedia, collaborative platform for social workers specialized in parenting with intellectual disabilities

Pycipedia, collaborative platform for social workers specialized in parenting with intellectual disabilities

Pycipedia is a web platform for social workers specialized in supporting parents with intellectual disabilities.
Mapathon UPC, a web platform that gathers geolocated points on a map

Mapathon UPC, a web platform that gathers geolocated points on a map

Mapathon UPC is an open web platform that allows for the collection of geolocated points on a map collaboratively.

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We present Vincles Alt Pirineu-Aran at a public event in La Seu d’Urgell

Laura Hurtado on 17 April 2024

Publications News

We present Vincles Alt Pirineu-Aran at a public event in La Seu d’Urgell

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El projecte, liderat per la Fundació iSocial, té per objectiu la detecció i prevenció de situacions de soledat no desitjada en la gent gran al territori de l’Alt Pirineu i la Vall d’Aran

El passat 10 d’abril es va presentar, a La Seu d’Urgell, el projecte Vincles Alt Pirineu-Aran, en un acte al qual van assistir-hi responsables dels serveis socials, representants polítics de la regió i mitjans de comunicació. Vincles és una iniciativa que aplica la innovació per fer front a l’increment de situacions de soledat no desitjada entre la gent gran a l’Alt Pirineu i el territori de l’Aran, combinant, d’una banda, la ciència de dades per geolocalitzar zones de risc, i de l’altra, l’activació de la xarxa comunitària local. Després d’uns mesos en els quals s’han realitzat sis pilots a diferents localitats de l’Alt Pirineu, el projecte arrenca ara en ferm en el conjunt d’aquest territori.

L’acte de presentació va comptar amb la intervenció inicial de Toni Codina, director de la Fundació iSocial, que va explicar el funcionament del projecte i les necessitats a les quals respon. Tot seguit, van intervenir-hi representants dels diversos governs regionals implicats en Vincles, que van ressaltar que la soledat no desitjada és una problemàtica cada cop més present en el territori. Per aquest motiu, van celebrar la posada en marxa del projecte.

Els assistents a la presentació van poder conèixer també el testimoni d‘Albert Marquet, alcalde de Montferrer i Castellbó, un dels municipis on s’ha realitzat la prova pilot del projecte. Marquet va explicar els avenços duts a terme en els darrers mesos i va valorar molt positivament la iniciativa. També van assistir a l’acte representants d’ABD, Integra Pirineus i Alba Jussà, entitats que participen en el projecte.

Roda de Premsa Vincles

El projecte Vincles inclou la realització d’un doble diagnòstic, qualitatiu i quantitatiu, per conèixer amb més detall la situació de la zona i estudiar les estratègies de desplegament més adequades. Gemma Valeri, coordinadora del projecte, va exposar els primers resultats dels diagnòstics qualitatius, que s’han obtingut a través d’entrevistes, d’observacions de camp i prop de 700 qüestionaris. Les dades revelen que la soledat no desitjada preocupa seriosament el 80% dels habitants de l’Alt Pirineu-Aran. A més, una gran part dels enquestats assenyalen que troben a faltar millors xarxes de transport per poder accedir a la socialització, així com espais oberts on poder dur a terme trobades informals. Els resultats també apunten una bretxa de gènere en la participació en les activitats socials, ja que la majoria de les persones que hi assisteixen són dones.

Aliança per combatre la soledat

L’Alt Pirineu-Aran concentra algunes de les comarques més sobre envellides de tot Catalunya i registra la xifra més alta de llars unipersonals, que conformen aproximadament una tercera part del total. Com a conseqüència, hi ha moltes persones que se senten soles.

En aquest context, Vincles Alt Pirineu-Aran reuneix un consorci d’entitats i serveis socials amb la idea de sumar esforços per combatre el fenomen de la soledat no desitjada al territori. Per fer-ho, s’emmiralla en el programa Auzosare, impulsat per la cooperativa Agintzari, entitat membre d’iSocial, i per l’empresa tecnològica Gislan, i que ja s’ha aplicat en diversos municipis d’Euskadi amb gran efectivitat. Totes dues organitzacions han compartit els seus coneixements amb les entitats i organismes catalans per tal de facilitar la implantació del projecte Vincles al territori de l’Alt Pirineu i l’Aran.

Vincles està liderat per la Fundació iSocial i també compta amb la participació dels organismes territorials de l’Alt Pirineu-Aran (els Consells Comarcals de l’Alt Urgell, el Pallars Sobirà, Pallars Jussà, la Cerdanya, l’Alta Ribagorça i el Conselh Generau d’Aran), la Universitat de Lleida, l’Institut per al Desenvolupament i la Promoció de l’Alt Pirineu-Aran (IDAPA), i tres entitats del tercer sector que actuen en aquestes comarques: la cooperativa Alba Jussà, la fundació Integra Pirineus i l’Associació Benestar i Desenvolupament (ABD). El projecte compta també amb la col·laboració de la Fundació La Caixa i la Diputació de Lleida. Vincles és finançat pels fons europeus Next Generation, a través del Departament de Drets Socials de la Generalitat de Catalunya.

Actualitat

We present Vincles Alt Pirineu-Aran at a public event in La Seu d’Urgell
PublicationsFeatured HomeNews

We present Vincles Alt Pirineu-Aran at a public event in La Seu d’Urgell

Vincles Alt Pirineu-Aran is a project, led by the iSocial Foundation, which aims to detect and prevent situations of unwanted loneliness in the elderly population in the Alt Pirineu and Vall d’Aran territory.
Willy Allègre, coordinator of the European Rehab-Lab network, visits the commodities of the partners in Catalonia
Featured HomeNews

Willy Allègre, coordinator of the European Rehab-Lab network, visits project partners in Catalonia.

The iSocial Foundation leads the establishment of a Rehab-Lab network in Catalonia. Willy Allègre’s visit is part of the accreditation process to join the European Rehab-Lab network, which will be completed this May
The iSocial team celebrates its first work meeting
PublicationsNews

The iSocial team celebrates its first work meeting

The iSocial Foundation met at the Cal Muns building, managed by the Pere Claver Group, a partner entity of the foundation.
Kick-off of the Solidigital project
News

The Solidigital project kicks off with a dual opening session of partner organizations in Barcelona

The iSocial Foundation hosts partner entities of Solidigital, a cross-border project to be developed in Catalonia, France, and Andorra.

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Mentegram, therapeutic monitoring of patients in mental health treatment

Laura Hurtado on 17 April 2024

Publications Bank of innovations

Mentegram, therapeutic monitoring of patients in mental health treatment

Mentegram

Mentegram

Tool that allows evaluating and monitoring the daily behavior of individuals in therapeutic treatment

Mentegram is a platform that allows for daily monitoring of the state of patients in mental health consultations. The instruments and detection criteria can be customized according to the individual or, if preferred, pre-configured ones can be used. This way, therapists can adapt the treatment in each case more reliably.

This monitoring also allows for session optimization and time-saving, as professionals obtain a quick overview of how patients have been in the days leading up to the visit. The tool also enables the detection of risk situations to act preventively.

Additionally, the application offers the possibility of sharing educational materials, instructions, questionnaires, and reminders with users through their mobile devices. Furthermore, the platform collects information on patient evaluations, staff workload, and clinical effectiveness.

Characteristics of innovation

, , , , , , ,

Localization

Australia

Partners / Funders

Hashcode and HealthTRx Global

Genesis

Mentegram was born in 2013 in response to the lack of platforms that brought together professionals and patients in the field of mental health. The platform offers the possibility of monitoring progress in therapeutic treatment, as well as motivating users in their process.

Level of implementation

As explained by the organization, professionals who have worked with Mentegram report that they have been able to reduce the time devoted to patient evaluation to focus on treatment, as well as improving their service. Moreover, they have observed greater commitment and motivation in patients during the therapeutic process.

Més informació

Mentegram

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Imatges Posts Web 64 min 2

NaviLens, a code system that guides individuals with visual impairments in public spaces

NaviLens is a code system with relevant information about public spaces to increase the autonomy of people with visual impairments.
Mentegram, therapeutic monitoring of patients in mental health treatment

Mentegram, therapeutic monitoring of patients in mental health treatment

Mentegram is a tool that allows evaluating and monitoring the daily behavior of individuals in therapeutic treatment.
Pycipedia, collaborative platform for social workers specialized in parenting with intellectual disabilities

Pycipedia, collaborative platform for social workers specialized in parenting with intellectual disabilities

Pycipedia is a web platform for social workers specialized in supporting parents with intellectual disabilities.
Mapathon UPC, a web platform that gathers geolocated points on a map

Mapathon UPC, a web platform that gathers geolocated points on a map

Mapathon UPC is an open web platform that allows for the collection of geolocated points on a map collaboratively.

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Social Innovation to Prevent Gender Violence

Laura Hurtado on 15 April 2024

Publications Articles

Social Innovation to Prevent Gender Violence

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During the year 2023, fifty-eight women and two minors died due to gender-based violence in Spain. How can we use social innovation to prevent and address this issue?

What is gender violence?

According to the United Nations, gender-based violence is “any act of violence based on the female sex that results in physical, sexual, or psychological harm or suffering to women, as well as threats of such acts […] or arbitrary deprivation of liberty […]”. This violence is rooted in unequal power relations between men and women and is structural.

In Spain, according to data from the Ministry of Equality, 1,245 women have been murdered by gender violence between January 2003 and February 2024. During the last month, more than eight thousand calls have been received on the victim assistance hotline (016). During the year 2023, fifty-eight women and two minors died due to gender-based violence in Spain.

Social services and gender violence

Demands for gender violence are diverse and involve different areas. Consequently, there are many professionals involved in the process. One of the main problems faced by victims is revictimization, which occurs when they have to explain the events they have experienced many times, to different professionals. Consequently, the feeling of vulnerability and helplessness is reinforced. For this reason, it is important that there is good coordination among professionals.

On the other hand, the role of social workers is crucial in the fight against gender violence. In this sense, preventive socialization is discussed. This concept refers to the acquisition of values and norms that prevent macho behaviors and favor equality values. Professional training is essential to ensure early intervention, as well as effective and respectful management of cases.

When addressing gender violence with victims, it is important to consider some aspects:

  • Listen without judgment. Do not hold the victim responsible for their situation and avoid compassion.
  • Do not overwhelm with excessive information or insist on intimate details of the aggression.
  • Respect the decisions of the victim and do not act without their consent. However, it is important to emphasize the possible risk situation in which they find themselves.
  • Accompany in the process, even if it is slow.
  • Inform about the available reporting channels without pressuring the victim to choose a specific path.

Social Innovation to Prevent Gender Violence

Social innovation is key in the field of prevention and management of gender violence cases, as new technologies, as well as new approaches, allow us to approach the problem in a more efficient and transformative way.

  • Empowerment of women. To combat gender violence, it is essential to carry out prevention strategies. In this sense, numerous organizations have promoted applications with information and resources to detect violence situations and be able to combat them. An example is SARA (UNDP), a free and confidential chat that guides and accompanies victims. There are also platforms aimed at promoting the safety of women in dangerous situations, such as the bSafe app. This tool allows sharing real-time location, recording videos and audios in alarm situations, and generating fake calls to deter potential aggressors.

  • Community involvement. Another key element is to generate links between the community to involve all actors in the eradication of discrimination. The MADRE project, in collaboration with Wangki Tangni, mobilized communities in Nicaragua to create joint action plans, through which groups identify problems and offer solutions to combat machismo in the region. There are also digital options that allow involving a large number of people in the prevention and elimination of these violences. In Gurgaon (Haryana, India), they have promoted the SafetiPin initiative, which promotes community collaboration through an application where users can send information about spaces and aspects of urban roads that can be potentially dangerous through maps. For example, street lighting, the absence of police presence in the area, and the low circulation of vehicles.

  • Intersectional perspective. Not all women experience violence in the same way. In addition to the gender variable, other aspects such as social class, race, or sexual orientation also affect. In Mexico, through a survey conducted by CIDIP and the Government of CDMX, the need to create specific materials for women with disabilities in situations of gender violence was seen. As a result, CIDIP created the App Morada, aimed at giving tools to these women to understand the specific discrimination they suffer and to ask for help if necessary.

  • Technological tools. Although technology has often been highlighted as an instrument that contributes to macho discrimination, for example, through cyberbullying, it also presents positive opportunities to combat this violence. Specifically, the blockchain system achieves registering materials with high protection that prevents them from being modified. This allows registering violent behaviors, with audio or image evidence, in an unalterable way. Therefore, they are valid documents for possible judicial processes. Similarly, artificial intelligence can be used to compare data on gender violence reports and detect repeating patterns. This has been done by the Complutense University of Madrid and the Ministry of the Interior, through a project that allows obtaining more accurate diagnoses and predicting cases of recidivism.

In conclusion, social innovation presents new ways to prevent and manage gender violence, a problem that continues to be present in our society and that requires the involvement of all sectors to be eradicated.

References

Diez caminos para prevenir la violencia contra las mujeres y las niñas | ONU Mujeres. (s. f.). ONU Mujeres. https://www.unwomen.org/es/noticias/articulo-explicativo/2023/11/diez-caminos-para-prevenir-la-violencia-contra-las-mujeres-y-las-ninas#:~:text=Diez%20caminos%20para%20prevenir%20la%20violencia%20contra%20las,8%20Empoderar%20a%20la%20juventud%20. . .%20M%C3%A1s%20elementos [15/04/24]

Elboj, C., & Ruiz Eugenio, L. (2010). TRABAJO SOCIAL Y PREVENCIÓN DE LA VIOLENCIA DE GÉNERO. Trabajo Social Global-Global Social Work, 1(2), 220–233. https://doi.org/10.30827/tsg-gsw.v1i2.912 [15/04/24]

Iniciativas contra la violencia de género. (s. f.). Instituto de las Mujeres. https://www.inmujeres.gob.es/imioweb/1_AreasTematicas/1_SocInfor/1_Iniciativas/4_ContraViolencia/ContraLaViolenciaDeGenero.pdf [15/04/24]

Juan Martín, M. D. (2017). Violencia de género y servicios sociales: análisis la aplicación del objetivo” violencia cero” desde los servicios sociales básicos. https://uvadoc.uva.es/bitstream/handle/10324/26723/TFG-G2506.pdf;sequence=1 [15/04/24]

Piedra-Cristobal, J., Rosa-Martín, J. J., & Muñoz-Domínguez, M. C. (2018). Intervención y prevención de la violencia de género: un acercamiento desde el trabajo social. Trabajo Social Global-Global Social Work, 8(14), 195–216. https://doi.org/10.30827/tsg-gsw.v8i14.6595 [15/04/24]

Pinedo, M. (2021, 2 septiembre). Matemáticas e inteligencia artificial contra el maltrato machista. El País. https://elpais.com/sociedad/2021-09-02/matematicas-e-inteligencia-artificial-contra-el-maltrato-machista.html [15/04/24]

Principales datos sobre violencia de género. (2024). Ministerio de Igualdad. https://violenciagenero.igualdad.gob.es/violenciaEnCifras/boletines/boletinMensual/2024/docs/Principales_datos_enero_2024.pdf [15/04/24]

Vegezzi, A. P., Vegezzi, A. P., & Vegezzi, A. P. (2020, 13 marzo). Lo que la revolución tecnológica puede hacer contra la violencia de género. El País. https://elpais.com/elpais/2020/03/10/planeta_futuro/1583861107_474286.html [15/04/24]

Articles

Social Innovation to Prevent Gender Violence
PublicationsArticlesFeatured Home

Social Innovation to Prevent Gender Violence

During the year 2023, fifty-eight women and two minors died due to gender violence in Spain. How can we use social innovation to prevent and address this issue?
Robots for the treatment of children with ASD
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Robots for the treatment of children with ASD

In recent years, the use of robots in the treatment of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has been brought to the table. What benefits does this type of therapy offer?
En aquest article, abordem propostes innovadores per combatre la soledat no desitjada
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Innovative proposals to combat unwanted loneliness in the elderly

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Desinstitucionalización y vida en comunidad de las personas con discapacidad

Una nueva guía de las Naciones Unidas indica directrices precisas para la desinstitucionalización de las personas con discapacidad.

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Pycipedia, collaborative platform for social workers specialized in parenting with intellectual disabilities

Laura Hurtado on 9 April 2024

Publications Bank of innovations

Pycipedia, collaborative platform for social workers specialized in parenting with intellectual disabilities

Research and Development Center for Health, Care, and Social Work in Linköping (FoU)

Pycipedia

Web platform for social workers specialized in supporting parents with intellectual disabilities

Parenting processes can be especially challenging for people with intellectual disabilities. Additionally, the number of social workers specialized in this intervention area is very limited, and in the case of rural or non-urban areas, geographical distance makes it difficult for professionals to share their experiences and methods.

Pycipedia is a platform that connects social workers, regardless of where they work, through a digital network, to provide assistance and enable them to improve their support tasks. This ensures more equitable attention throughout the territory, ensuring that all professionals have access to useful resources and training.

The tool allows social workers to create, navigate, edit, and share training materials to support families with intellectual disabilities in everyday situations. Resources include texts, videos, and images. Materials are categorized, such as child health or hygiene tasks. Pycipedia also offers a forum where professionals can share best practices and provide empirical results on the different methods they use.

Characteristics of innovation

, , , , , ,

Localization

Sweden

Collaborators / Funders

IT University of Copenhagen

Genesis

Many Swedish municipalities have a limited number of social workers trained in supporting families with intellectual disabilities. Pycipedia aimed to be a response to this situation, exploring how these professionals can co-design new and innovative ways of working and providing support to families.

Level of implementation

Pycipedia has been operational for four years and has over 100 social workers registered as users, from more than 30 municipalities, who share ideas and materials with their peers.

More information

Pycipedia

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Imatges Posts Web 64 min 2

NaviLens, a code system that guides individuals with visual impairments in public spaces

NaviLens is a code system with relevant information about public spaces to increase the autonomy of people with visual impairments.
Mentegram, therapeutic monitoring of patients in mental health treatment

Mentegram, therapeutic monitoring of patients in mental health treatment

Mentegram is a tool that allows evaluating and monitoring the daily behavior of individuals in therapeutic treatment.
Pycipedia, collaborative platform for social workers specialized in parenting with intellectual disabilities

Pycipedia, collaborative platform for social workers specialized in parenting with intellectual disabilities

Pycipedia is a web platform for social workers specialized in supporting parents with intellectual disabilities.
Mapathon UPC, a web platform that gathers geolocated points on a map

Mapathon UPC, a web platform that gathers geolocated points on a map

Mapathon UPC is an open web platform that allows for the collection of geolocated points on a map collaboratively.

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Subscribe if you want to be informed about all the trends in innovation in social services.

Mapathon UPC, a web platform that gathers geolocated points on a map

Laura Hurtado on 3 April 2024

Publications Bank of innovations

Mapathon UPC, a web platform that gathers geolocated points on a map

UPC

Mapathon UPC

An open web platform that allows for the collection of geolocated points on a map collaboratively

Mapathon UPC is a tool aimed at groups and collectives wishing to highlight and raise awareness of the impact of certain social issues or needs in specific locations through a map where they are geolocated. The information collection process is collaborative, involving social entities, public administration, and the UPC community, among others. Participants only need mobile phones or tablets with Android system, GPS, and Internet access to participate in the mapping.

Mapathon addresses various issues, from identifying architectural barriers hindering accessibility to points of risk for gender-based violence and areas of waste accumulation, among others. It also allows for a more positive focus by helping to identify resting places or safe spaces.

The duration of the data collection process typically ranges from one to two hours, although it can exceptionally last a week. Once the map is completed, it cannot be updated, serving as an «snapshot» of reality at a given time. Additionally, the platform generates a report that organizes the data and aids decision-making.

Characteristics of innovation

, , , , , , , , ,

Localization

Catalonia. Points have also been marked on maps of Amsterdam, Lisbon, and Oaxaca.

Partners / Funders

COAC Barcelona, Catalan municipalities, social entities, schools, institutes, and university centers, among others.

Genesis

Mapathon UPC emerged within the framework of the 3rd Collaborative University-City Day on June 15, 2017. This initiative, jointly organized by the Barcelona City Council and UPC, aims to promote collaboration in improving quality of life and social inclusion in the local environment. In this context, the platform was opened to citizens interested in participating in a geolocation project.

Level of implementation

Mapathon UPC has significantly grown since its inception. In 2017, it had 76 points on the map and 55 participants. The latest data from 2023 recorded 1808 points and 630 participants. In total, over 5,500 points and more than 1,800 participants have been added, respectively.

More information

Mapathon UPC

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Imatges Posts Web 64 min 2

NaviLens, a code system that guides individuals with visual impairments in public spaces

NaviLens is a code system with relevant information about public spaces to increase the autonomy of people with visual impairments.
Mentegram, therapeutic monitoring of patients in mental health treatment

Mentegram, therapeutic monitoring of patients in mental health treatment

Mentegram is a tool that allows evaluating and monitoring the daily behavior of individuals in therapeutic treatment.
Pycipedia, collaborative platform for social workers specialized in parenting with intellectual disabilities

Pycipedia, collaborative platform for social workers specialized in parenting with intellectual disabilities

Pycipedia is a web platform for social workers specialized in supporting parents with intellectual disabilities.
Mapathon UPC, a web platform that gathers geolocated points on a map

Mapathon UPC, a web platform that gathers geolocated points on a map

Mapathon UPC is an open web platform that allows for the collection of geolocated points on a map collaboratively.

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Subscribe if you want to be informed about all the trends in innovation in social services.

AutisMIND, an application to stimulate the social cognition of children with ASD

Laura Hurtado on 27 March 2024

Publications Bank of innovations

AutisMIND, an application to stimulate the social cognition of children with ASD

IDAPP MIND SL

AutisMIND

The tool enhances the ability to empathize with others in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

There are more and more experiences and studies endorsing that technology is a particularly useful resource to support therapeutic and learning processes in children with ASD. Whether through robotics or specialized computer programs, research is showing the benefits of this approach.

AutisMIND is a mobile application that supports families and professionals in working on the development of social thinking and theory of mind in children with ASD, that is, the ability of individuals to be aware of the feelings, desires, and beliefs of others when acting.

The AutisMIND application addresses ten different aspects of socio-cognitive development with six levels of difficulty and a total of over a thousand interactive and playful exercises. Some of the topics it covers include interpreting emotions in context, anticipating actions, physical sensations, and symbolism.

The platform presents learning in a simple and dynamic way. On one hand, it uses sharp images with simple outlines that avoid overstimulating the child. On the other hand, it includes visual reinforcements that enhance the interest, attention, and motivation of the user. The functions are adaptable to the needs of each person, and statistics allow evaluating progress and achieved milestones.

Characteristics of innovation

, , , , , , ,

Localization

Catalonia

Partners / Funders

IDAPP Center

Genesis

AUTISMIND is a collaborative project among professionals, family members, and individuals with autism, based on their experiences and needs. The idea, driven by clinical psychologist Alex Escolá, arose during his work with users with autism, as technology proved to be a very effective tool in the treatment of children with ASD. In 2017, a first application aimed at young children was created, which was very well received. As a result, work began on new content, aimed in this case at adolescents and adults.

Level of implementation

The first application was downloaded 35,000 times. Currently, the AutisMIND Videos platform is being developed, an interactive video simulator for people with ASD to learn to manage everyday difficult situations and thus improve their autonomy and well-being. In these videos, people appear in everyday contexts, such as a job interview, and the user can choose interactively how they want the different scenarios to be resolved. In this way, people with ASD can anticipate circumstances that may cause them discomfort.

More information

AutisMIND

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Banc d’innovacions

Imatges Posts Web 64 min 2

NaviLens, a code system that guides individuals with visual impairments in public spaces

NaviLens is a code system with relevant information about public spaces to increase the autonomy of people with visual impairments.
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Mentegram is a tool that allows evaluating and monitoring the daily behavior of individuals in therapeutic treatment.
Pycipedia, collaborative platform for social workers specialized in parenting with intellectual disabilities

Pycipedia, collaborative platform for social workers specialized in parenting with intellectual disabilities

Pycipedia is a web platform for social workers specialized in supporting parents with intellectual disabilities.
Mapathon UPC, a web platform that gathers geolocated points on a map

Mapathon UPC, a web platform that gathers geolocated points on a map

Mapathon UPC is an open web platform that allows for the collection of geolocated points on a map collaboratively.

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Digital Streetwork, social workers who assist young people through the Internet

Laura Hurtado on 20 March 2024

Publications Bank of innovations

Digital Streetwork, social workers who assist young people through the Internet

Bavarian Youth Council

Digital Streetwork

Initiative that moves street work with youth to the Internet

Digital Streetwork is a project aimed at individuals between 14 and 27 years old, in which a team of specialists work with youth through chats, social networks, platforms, and phone calls. Some of these spaces include Instagram, Discord, and Reddit. The main objective is to support them in areas such as mental health, school, work, and interpersonal relationships.

Social workers are actively present online and reach out to young people who show a need for support through messages and posts. If they do not wish to establish communication, the conversation stops. Similarly, the workers can be contacted by users who require their help. The program consists of fourteen professionals, two for each local government in Bavaria.

The platform is free and anonymous. Digital workers maintain the confidentiality of conversations and receive training in online counseling and crisis management. In case they cannot address an issue, the professionals connect the youth with specialized organizations.

Characteristics of innovation

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Localization

Bayern, Germany

Partners / Funders

JFF Institute for Media Education, Ministry of Family, Labor, and Social Affairs of the State of Bavaria.

Genesis

Digital Streetwork was born in September 2021 and is present in the seven Bavarian districts. The main objective is to get as close as possible to young people, and for this reason, contact is made through the Internet, as it is a fundamental socialization space for young people.

Level of implementation

Currently, 14 digital workers are present on the most relevant online platforms for young people. Since 2021, Digital Streetwork has been in contact with more than 6,100 individuals and has conducted over 2,700 counseling sessions. Furthermore, more than 140 young people have received support in communicating with institutions and authorities, while over 170 have received specialized assistance.

More information

Digital Streetwork

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Robots for the treatment of children with ASD

Laura Hurtado on 18 March 2024

Publications Articles

Robots for the treatment of children with ASD

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In recent years, the use of robots in the treatment of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has been brought to the table. What benefits does this type of therapy offer?

What is ASD?

The concept of ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) emerged in 2013 when the American Psychiatric Association (APA) unified autism and Asperger’s syndrome under a single diagnosis, considering both conditions shared very similar traits. According to this categorization, ASD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that mainly affects communication and social interaction, characterized by the presence of very rigid thought patterns. Some examples include focus on interests, deficits in emotional expression, and problems with nonverbal expression. The first signs can be observed in very early stages of individual development, between the first and third year of life.

Another peculiarity of ASD is the diversity of ways in which it can manifest. This is why the concept of a spectrum is used. Each person expresses difficulties in communication, social interaction, and cognitive rigidity differently.

Robots for children with ASD

In recent years, numerous scientific studies, such as the one conducted by the University of the Balearic Islands, have investigated the use of robots to support the development of the learning process in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The conclusions suggest that the predictable and consistent interactions of robots make them feel comfortable, as individuals with ASD tend to have a strong aversion to unpredictability. Additionally, robots are capable of generating motivation to carry out tasks and activities, while also helping children engage in social interactions that may otherwise be threatening in other contexts.

Experts emphasize the importance of designing robots with highly personalized programming that can address the needs of each child. However, they warn that the robot should not be conceived as a teacher or a social worker, but rather as a support tool. In this sense, it should not be an end in itself, but rather the aim should be for the relationship between the child and the robot to serve as a starting point for reinforcing the child’s sociability.

Benefits of using robots for children with ASD

Some of the benefits of this type of therapy are:

  • Improves communication skills and expression of emotions. The robot encourages the child’s participation through interactive communication, with visual aids, voice synthesis, and programmed instructions. This enhances the ability to express emotions and empathize with others. Additionally, it creates a comfortable and non-judgmental space where children can develop their skills.
  • Facilitates social interaction. The security provided by a robot, through controlled repetitions, allows for more effective interaction. Imitation, turn-taking, and eye contact simulate real-life interactions that teach appropriate responses and gestures for different situations. They can also be useful as mediators and objects of shared attention with adults and peers. The ultimate goal is for children to use all this knowledge in interactions with humans.
  • Provides routine. Predictability and routine establish coherent behavior patterns that provide security and stability for children with ASD. This reduces crises and anxiety.
  • Promotes play and learning. Often, children with autism have difficulties playing and learning. Robots are capable of adapting to the child’s specific interests to program educational games. Thus, learning becomes a more fun and effective task.
  • Simplifies the learning process. Interaction with the robot is simple and helps simplify the learning process. Similarly, it avoids information overload that could overwhelm the child.

Types of support robots for children with ASD

Currently, there are different types of robots. Although each of them has its specificities and its scope of action, in broad strokes we can distinguish them based on their objective, that is, the way they provide support to children with ASD. Thus, we find three classifications:

  • Social robots. Thinking androids to interact with children with ASD, with conversations, signals, or expression of emotions.
  • Educational robots. Tools that aid during the children’s learning process, using attractive tools to teach different subjects and skills in an organized manner.
  • Assistive robots. Robots that provide support in everyday activities. This way, they can reinforce their confidence and independence. For example, with activities such as dressing, brushing teeth, or organizing themselves.

Some examples of robots for children with ASD

Over the past few years, there has been a significant increase in the use of support robots for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, accompanied by a rise in research on this practice and its benefits. Below, we outline some significant initiatives in this field:

  • AURORA. In the late nineties, Kerstin Dautenhahn (University of Reading, England) carried out a pioneering work in the field of robots and autism. The AURORA project aimed to enable children with autism to use a mobile autonomous robot to take initiatives and engage in various actions. According to Dautenhahn, “repetitive behavior can be interpreted as a way to escape from the overstimulation, visual or auditory, that many people with autism experience.” For this reason, a robot easily programmable to perform repetitive and predictable movements can establish “a link between the child and the surrounding world.
  • Aisoy 1. Another example is Aisoy 1, a robot capable of recognizing the person with whom it interacts and simulating emotions. Although initially not designed to help children with autism, a study by the MIT Media Lab used the model for this purpose, with a positive result.
  • MILO. The first humanoid robot with facial expressions arrived in Spain in 2022, under the name MILO. It is a model that the Polytechnic University of Cartagena (UPCT) purchased from the American company RoboKind. The academic institution acquired it without configuration in order to be able to program it with its own protocol that addresses the emotions and reactions of the child during interaction with the robot. The main objective is to reduce the stress and pressure of children with ASD during exchanges with other people, while training them with the most predictable and simple interactions of the robot. MILO measures 60 cm, has a human-like toy-shaped face, and is capable of expressing emotions through smiles and grimaces, among others.

In conclusion, the use of robots in children with ASD allows for improvement in their social interaction, thanks to the ability to perform repetitive and predictable actions. This possibility, along with the customization of the device, makes the robot an innovative tool that brings new intervention methods to the table in this field.

References

¿Qué es el TEA?, EspacioAutismo. Available in: https://telos.fundaciontelefonica.com/la-cofa/robots-sociales-que-ayudan-a-abrirse-al-mundo-al-nino-autista/ [12/03/24] 

Programación de Robots para mejorar la atención terapéutica de niños con Trastornos Generalizados del Desarrollo (TGD), Diego Paracuellos de los Santos. Universitat Politècnica de València. Available in: https://riunet.upv.es/bitstream/handle/10251/91794/PARACUELLOS%20-%20Programaci%C3%B3n%20de%20Robots%20para%20mejorar%20la%20atenci%C3%B3n%20terapeutica%20de%20ni%C3%B1os%20con%20Trastornos….pdf?sequence=1 [12/03/24] 

Robots sociales que ayudan al niño autista a abrirse al mundo, Pablo Rodríguez Canfranc. Telos (Fundación Telefónica). Available in: https://telos.fundaciontelefonica.com/la-cofa/robots-sociales-que-ayudan-a-abrirse-al-mundo-al-nino-autista/ [12/03/24] 

Robots para autismo: ¿el futuro de una terapia eficaz de ayuda?, Autismo En Vivo. Available in: https://www.autismovivo.org/post/robots-para-autismo-el-futuro-de-una-terapia-eficaz-de-ayuda [12/03/24] 

El robot social de Elche que se cruzó en Kansas con un niño autista, Ana Hernando. SINC. Available in: https://www.agenciasinc.es/Reportajes/El-robot-social-de-Elche-que-se-cruzo-en-Kansas-con-un-nino-autista [12/03/24] 

Así es Milo, el primer robot con emociones que interactúa con el autismo y que ya está en Cartagena, Jorge García Badía. El Español. Available in: https://www.elespanol.com/omicrono/tecnologia/20220713/mylo-primer-robot-emociones-interactua-autismo-cartagena/687431519_0.html [12/03/24] 

Robot como tratamiento para niños con autismo, Jessica Davó García. El mundo del autismo. Available in: https://www.elmundodelautismo.es/el-robot-como-tratamiento-para-ninos-con-autismo/ [12/03/24] 

Use of technology in interventions for Children with Autism, Tina R. Goldsmith, Lina A. LeBlanc. APA PsycNet. Available in: https://psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/2014-52005-004.html [12/03/24] 

Robots sociales como promotores de la comunicación en los Trastornos del Espectro Autista (TEA), Virginia Pinel, Laura Aguiló Rendón, Daniel Adrover-Roig. Letras de Hoje. Available in: https://www.scielo.br/j/lh/a/bgNcrznydKySBCKJPtyW7HG/# [18/03/2024] 

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BRUS, accompaniment to young people who live in families with situations of drug addiction

Laura Hurtado on 13 March 2024

Publications Bank of innovations

BRUS, accompaniment to young people who live in families with situations of drug addiction

Center for Digital Paedagogik (CfDP)

BRUS

Program that seeks to break the taboo of addictions in families

BRUS is an initiative aimed at young people up to 24 years old who live in families affected by alcohol and drug addiction. The primary objective is to break the taboo surrounding these issues through in-person meetings and an anonymous chat service. Additionally, the program encourages young individuals to focus on their own needs rather than taking responsibility for situations they cannot control.

The online chat provides access to individuals who may initially be hesitant about seeking face-to-face treatment or are unable to physically attend a center. This virtual format allows vulnerable individuals to express their experiences, regardless of their location. Furthermore, the online platform enables safer and more confident self-expression, allowing them to articulate their feelings more effectively.

Users can choose whether they want to maintain continuity with the same therapist across multiple sessions or start anew each time and switch therapists. BRUS also facilitates communication for young people who have completed the therapeutic process but wish to stay connected with the center.

Characteristics of innovation

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Localization

Denmark

Partners / Funders

Genesis

BRUS was born in 2016 under the auspices of the Center for Digital Pedagogy in Denmark. From the outset, it embraced a digital approach, incorporating an email mailbox and an anonymous online chat. However, there is also the option to receive in-person counseling. The goal of employing hybrid solutions to address issues is to more efficiently reach vulnerable young people.

Level of implementation

The pandemic and the resulting inability to find refuge in activities outside the home led many young people in vulnerable families to seek solutions through the Internet. In 2020, BRUS recorded 431 conversations on the platform, more than double the number from 2019.

Currently, the program is present in several localities in Denmark through an intermunicipal collaboration agreement

More information

BRUS Center for Digital Paedagogik CfDP

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