The Alot Association (the National Association for Children and Adults with Autism) chose on Tuesday (Monday) four ventures whose goal is to develop groundbreaking solutions in areas where there is no adequate solution for people on the autism spectrum. The ventures, which use artificial intelligence and innovative research, offer solutions in all areas of life , either with work, communication, learning, etc.
The criteria for selecting the ventures were the degree of potential contribution to the target population, the technological depth, the experience of the entrepreneur or researcher with the needs of the target population, the maturity of the product, etc. The ventures received funding in the total amount of one million shekels.
Iris Schneid, an entrepreneur in the field of autism, Ronit Shusel, director of the division for knowledge development, research and training at ALOT, Dadi Atas, CEO of ALOT/official website, Yifat Par
The first project chosen is from the "Ta'al" project (TA`AL) whose goal is to integrate people on the spectrum into employment in a successful way. "More and more employers already understand the importance of integrating people with disabilities in their company or organization, but many do not know where to start and how to overcome the existing barriers. The project aims to change this situation," he said. The project uses AI-based information analysis, with the help of which the system can adjust the employment tasks to the employees' abilities and helps them follow the tasks assigned to them.
Another project chosen is the "TYPE IT" application, which helps to learn typing, reading and vocabulary for people with autism and other disabilities. The purpose of the app is to enable "calm and fun learning without frustrations, while reducing experiences of lack of success". The project also uses artificial intelligence to diagnose the disabilities and difficulties of each user, while building a fun, meaningful and adapted learning process for him.
Among the projects that won, learning to type for the disabled/GettyImages
Another project that won discovered all the hidden things in children and adults on the non-verbal continuum - through sight. The method developed by Raya Group researchers at Bar Ilan University tests reading abilities through eye tracking, a test that takes just a few minutes and can change a person's world from end to end - it opens up a non-verbal opportunity to communicate with the world. With this method, it is possible to identify the autistics who have acquired the skill of reading, but due to functional difficulties, lack of language, and other difficulties, this ability has not been identified in them until now.
Finally, the "Common Language" project was also awarded, which aims to bridge the community of people on the continuum with the community of therapists and researchers in the field. "As of today, there is a considerable gap in communication between the autistic community and the therapists and researchers in the field. The project will create a common body of knowledge that will help both communities better understand each other, to improve the quality of life and the response to people on the spectrum," it was stated.
A common language" - improving the relationship between people on the continuum and between the therapists/ShutterStock
"Eight months ago, the fund launched a call for proposals, and as a result, 90 applications were received for groundbreaking projects in the fields of research, technology and services for the benefit of the community of people on the autistic spectrum - in a variety of ages and functions," says Ronit Shusel, director of the division for knowledge development, research and training at ALOT and the leader of the fund. The four winning ventures express original answers to a variety of needs, capable of making a qualitative contribution to the quality of life of people on the autistic continuum, from a respectful approach that promotes an experience of autonomy, the realization of abilities and optimal participation.
"ALOT decided on this move and its own funding in order to bring the innovation to the field and to put into practice the winning ideas for the benefit of the target population," says Dedi Attas, CEO of ALOT, "we have often seen excellent ideas that came up in hackathons and blessed moves made by organizations Others, but without real investment and close supervision, they remain just ideas."
More on the same topic:
autism
ALOT