title: Boosting disability research in the engineering sciences. The recommendations of the National Observatory for Training, Research and Innovation on Disability (ONFRIH).
abstract: In 2005, the National Observatory for Training, Research and Innovation on Disability (ONFRIH) was established by French law (Law 2005-102). The mission of ONFRIH is to provide an overview and recommendations for research, training and prevention in the field of disability. In this paper, the authors, respectively the Chairman and Rapporteur of the ONFRIH Working Group "Research and Innovation", present the Observatory's conclusions reached in its 2009 report about engineering sciences research and innovation. After introducing the ONFRIH and recalling the stakes and working methods, they highlight the current state of French research in this area and their thoughts about innovation chain. They evoke the broad outlines of their working group's analysis of this inventory. They conclude by identifying four action plans that express the Observatory's recommendations and were submitted to the responsible ministers. The four main objectives proposed are: (1) to consolidate disability as a major challenge for engineering sciences applications; (2) to reinforce the cooperation between operators at all levels of research and innovation; (3) to encourage the expression of needs within the research and innovation process, and (4) to facilitate the access of disabled people to technological innovations that promote their autonomy and social inclusion.
authors.affiliation: Inserm, U988, CERMES3, IFRH, CNRS, UMR8211, EHESS, université Paris Descartes, 7, rue Guy-Môquet, 94801 Villejuif, France. ravaud@vjf.cnrs.fr
authors.forename: J-F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Ravaud
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Boissonnat
mesh_terms: D001698:Biomedical Engineering; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D012106:Research; D012656:Self-Help Devices