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About DIAS

DIAS was founded in 1994 by rehabilitation researchers from Hamburg University. From the beginning vocational and social integration of disabled people stood in the foreground.

Technical Aids

The first projects targeted transparency in the technical aids market and comprehensive and neutral information about the performance of technical aids.
For this purpose DIAS creates databases and technical documentation. DIAS conducts usability tests on technical aids and mainstream products on behalf of insurances and other public institutions.

New media and disabled people

The increasing importance of information technology broadened the tasks in this area. New technology affects all aspects of life, people who can't use them, are in danger of being excluded. Alongside projects, which engage themselves with the chances and risks for elderly and disabled people, e.g. "telework for disabled people", emerges as a new field under the keyword "barrier-free". Projects in this field test products and services on their usability and accessibility, to advise manufacturers and developers and to generate standards in barrier-free design.

Conception and Development of Information systems

In engaging with this theme it became clear, that we want to actively take part in the design and realisation of technical innovation, then there are many of sensible aids for elderly and disabled people. DIAS develops, with the aim of supporting an independent life for people with disabilities, internet-based information systems e.g. "you-too" - supplying information on the accessibility of public buildings Europe-wide or "INCOBS" - an information pool of computer appliances for the blind and visually impaired.

Social services and consumer protection

Not only new technology but also the social political reorganisation of nursing care insurance leads to changing living conditions for the elderly and disabled people. Services in the rehabilitation, care and health sector are increasingly privatised and commercialised. Public control is important, to prevent misuse. We test, on behalf of the responsible institutions and for consumer protection, the quality of social service and develop methods for quality control. This becomes even more important against the background of our ageing society.

In the aforementioned working area DIAS realises:

• Conception and implementation of projects (national, EU level)
• Technical documentation
• Market analysis, appliance and service tests (quantitative and qualitative methods)
• Surveys and reports
• Advice on product development
• EDP-training for disabled people and social service institutions
• Conception and development of internet-based information and consultation services

DIAS works for:

• The European Union
• Federal and provincial ministries
• Cities and local authorities
• Health insurance companies and vocational rehabilitation sponsors
• Consumer protection organisations
• Disabled associations and self-help organisations
• Technical aid suppliers
• Companies, appointing disabled employees