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Understanding the OATS Project: Open Source Assistive Technology for Everyone

The OATS Project aims to enhance access to communication and technology through open-source assistive technology (AT). This initiative provides a unique repository and forge for users and developers, enabling easy discovery and modification of software tailored to assistive needs. By fostering collaboration between users, developers, and researchers, OATS promotes innovation and customization in AT solutions. Explore various tools such as on-screen keyboards, screen readers, and prediction software, while gaining insights into how open-source methodology can transform assistive technology.

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Understanding the OATS Project: Open Source Assistive Technology for Everyone

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  1. The OATS Project ACE Centre Advisory Trust: Andrew Lysley, Jason Walsh, Stephen Druce  Access to Communication and Technology (ACT), Birmingham: Simon Judge In collaboration with: University of Dundee, Dept of Computing DART, Sweden Specialpedagogiska Instituet, Sweden

  2. Contents • What is Open Source? • Why Open Source for Assistive Technology? • What is the OATS project?

  3. What is Open Source Software? • Software • Works like any computer software • Could be written for any operating system • Well established, over a wide range of applications – from operating systems to mind mapping (e.g. Linux, Apache, OpenOffice, FreeMind, Gimp, …) • Can still charge for distribution, support – lots of business models based on open source • Open • Open-source software must make its source code freely available • Anyone can change and/or share the software freely • End-users have the right to modify and redistribute the software

  4. Open Source Development Model • The secret volunteer army: Open source software is often developed by ‘volunteers’ • Coders enjoy coding on interesting projects! • Often companies (e.g. Sun, IBM) contribute coders to projects – mutual interest • Some sectors are dominated by Open Source – most of the internet is built on it • Universities frequently open source projects

  5. Open Source Differences • Publishing source code seems like a small difference • Fundamentally different way of doing things • Allows innovation, a closer ‘relationship’ to the user • Allows standardisation to develop – since the fundamentals are published and open. • Growing movement: considered by some to be the future of software (e.g. IBM, Sun, some governments…)

  6. Why Open Source for Assistive Technology? • Research and Innovation – technology transfer from research projects • Customisation – diverse clients require customised software • Standards – have we any?! • User Feedback and BugFixes • Challenging and interesting projects for coders

  7. The OATS Project • Evaluation project (~1 year) • Two parts • Repository (Library): help users find software easily • Forge (Dating agency): tools for developing open source software The only website dedicated to Open Source Assistive Technology software

  8. OATS examples • On Screen Keyboards • Screen Readers • Symbol Libraries • Resources (e.g. Gridsets etc) • Cause/effect programs • Macro software (e.g. remapping ) • Prediction software … Innovative and user led software….

  9. Library • Easy search • Browse by type • Browse by need • Advanced search Includes free software as well as open source

  10. Library – Search Results • Simple Summary • Download Link (3 clicks to here) • More Info…

  11. Library – Project Listing • ‘Amazonesqe’ • Full project info • Further resources • Download link • Access to previous download versions

  12. Repository • Project Listings • Info on AT • Access to lots of Open Source tools…

  13. Repository – Forge Tools • Trac: Project management

  14. Repository – Forge Tools • Subversion: Code Management (Code Versioning System)

  15. OATS Website • Content Management System (Plone) • Accessible, multiple languages… • Sustainable • Users can contribute feature requests, discuss on noticeboards, report bugs, vote for software… • Anyone can add/suggest projects • Developers can maintain their own project areas (documentation, bug tracking, wiki, polls, notice boards etc)

  16. OATS :: Users • Simple portal for finding and downloading software • Unique opportunity to contribute directly to development of software • Opportunity to comment/vote on AT software

  17. OATS :: Developers • Exciting and interesting projects • Unique client contact • Context of other projects • Access to information on Assistive Technology • Excellent open source tools

  18. OATS :: Professionals • AT professionals have a unique insight into user’s needs and have lots of ideas. • Researchers research into relevant areas to AT (but maybe not called ‘AT’). • OATS offers the opportunity to connect the two. • Allows customisation to meet individual client’s needs

  19. To Do! • Suggest projects that may be relevant • Comment on the site • Build partnerships with local universities • OATS is a portal for student projects & research projects and provides context for existing projects • Contribute to the site

  20. Summary • Open Source software • Source code openly published • Development model well suited to the Assistive Technology field • Encourage innovation and technology transfer www.oatsoft.org

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