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A project designed to allow the disabled better access to local buildings will involve the first practical application of ambient intelligence technology in the UK, says Niall Firth.

For someone in a wheelchair or with any serious disability, the simplest excursion often involves military-style planning before they leave the house. This can limit their access to local information and services, preventing them from taking an active role in their communities and often leaving them feeling isolated.

But now a UK-based research project called MAPPED (Mobilisation and Accessibility Planning for People with Disabilities) is aiming to develop an integrated system to allow the disabled to find out more about access to buildings in their area.

The researchers claim the project will also be the UK’s first real example of ambient intelligence technology being put into practice.

In September 2004, the third and final part of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) came into force, meaning all services and businesses must now do everything in their power and make ‘reasonable adjustments’ to allow disabled people to live like everybody else.

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