The Gateway website , , www. gateway2at. org , , is an innovative approach to raising the profile of assistive technology among third-level students, educators and employers.

Assistive technology enables an individual to achieve greater independence in education, the workplace and in life. It includes alternative keyboards and mice, screen-reading and word prediction software. In addition, voice recognition software, communication tools, as well as several other devices help those with disabilities communicate better.

The new website will no doubt be a valuable information resource, and will include case studies of expert assistive technology users, as well as information on how to access funding for such technologies.

Gateway2at. org is an international collaboration. The Irish partners leading the initiative are: Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology; Enable Ireland; and Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT). International partners have been drawn from all over Europe and comprise AbilityNet, England; Technical University o Kosice (TUKE), Slovakia; University of Ljubiljana, Slovenia; and the Walloon Agency for the Integration o People with Disabilities (AWIPH), Belgium.

In developing the site, expert opinion was sought from the various user groups. Debbie O'Halloran, group editor o Irishjobs. ie, says: "The site is extremely user-friendly and informative. The information is structured in a way that is easily navigable for the user and it is very comprehensive."

The Disability Act, 2005 requires that 3pc of employees in the public sector should be people with disabilities. While there is not an equivalent requirement for the private sector, it is anticipated that the information provided on Gateway2at. org will be particularly useful to all employers.

Gateway is an acronym for Guidance for Assistive Technology in Education and the Workplace Advancing Young People with Disabilities.