At the University Department of Professional Studies in Split, an unusual smart bench with an interactive screen appeared, unique in its complete accessibility for people with disabilities. It is a new product of the Liberato Association, recognized for products that meet the needs of people with disabilities. Named ‘DisCloud,’ the software of other innovations from this student laboratory can also be installed, such as “LiberatoMap,” which provides users with information on the accessibility of public and private facilities, reports Slobodna Dalmacija.
This interesting installation supports all other software according to the customer’s wishes, such as a guide in the mall, a kiosk for selling tickets in the ferry port, etc., and is rounded by solar power. Its creators, students Stipo Margić, a wheelchair user, and Mijo Marijević, the founder of the association, envisage a mobile application for it.
“Since DisCloud is powered by solar energy during its installation on surfaces, construction work is unnecessary to bring power to the city network. It also provides a wheelchair motor charging function and has the option of offering marketing services. In addition, institutions will be able to switch a lot of their services to a custom kiosk to make up for the shortcomings of their architectural inaccessibility of the facility.”
Although it will be available to all citizens, it is primarily intended for people with disabilities because it will provide them with a new dimension of accessibility in the city and help tourists with disabilities.
The Liberato Association has the tremendous support of the University of Split and the University Department of Professional Studies in Split, the Student Union of the University of Split, while Professor Slaven Šitić made a significant contribution to the construction. In addition, the association has more than 20 volunteers, says they have big plans and goals, and are currently working on a mobile version of the app and better adapting it to blind and partially sighted people.
“This is not our beginning, it is not our end, but our path towards creating a world without barriers,” is how they present their innovations.
And they already have several large projects behind them, including the mentioned “LiberatoMap” – an interactive map for people with disabilities, which provides easier and faster access to information on the accessibility of facilities in the city with a focus on technical infrastructure and implementation of new cities. The map is available online, and the team works every day on developing mobile applications and expanding to the entire territory of Croatia. The cities currently covered by the map are Split, Trogir and Omiš.
The LiberatoTalk project includes various events/lectures/panel discussions for high school students and citizens to increase the representation of topics about people with disabilities in the broader social context and discuss the problems they face. There is also a Guide for Students with Disabilities, iLiberatoTech.
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