RAI PILOT OFFICE TO OVERCOME DISABILITY

TRAINING IN RAI TURIN FOR UNIVERSITY STUDENTS OR GRADUATES WITH DISABILITIES

The Social Action Department of Rai, in collaboration with CETAD (Centre of Excellence for Technologies for the Aged and Disabled) in Turin and the Italian Union of the Blind have created a Centre of Excellence to encourage integration through the use of new technologies. At the Rai Production Centre in Turin, in Via Verdi 14, a multimedia room for people with disabilities was set up with the objective of providing training in specific skills and to promote professional integration by providing accessible structures and technologies.

Available accessible technologies

There are four multi-media workstations in the office with different hardware and software solutions, provided by leading companies in the accessibility sector, to allow people with different types of disabilities to use the computers. One workstation is equipped with vocal synthesis and a Braille keyboard, for people with sight disabilities, while another workstation is equipped with a web cam, which allows for the mouse cursor to be controlled by simply moving the head, for those with severe motor disabilities. A third computer is equipped with a keyboard and special mouse which can be adapted to the different needs of people with motor disabilities.

The companies involved, that have provided the software and hardware solutions free of charge to the pilot project, are: EASYLABS, QUALILIFE and PROGETTIAMO AUTONOMIA.

Student and graduate requirements

The courses last for three months. Interested students and graduates with disabilities must meet the following requirements:

• be registered with/have graduated from the Faculty of Literature and Philosophy or Languages and Foreign Literature or Educational Sciences or Political Science or the Interfaculty School of Motor Sciences (SUISM);
• have sufficient knowledge of the main computer applications (office package, Internet and e-mail);
• know at least one foreign language, for those who wish to deal with foreign relations for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Turin 2006.

Course projects

SPORT AREA (in collaboration with the Turin 2006 Olympic and Paralympic Committee)

1. Research and analysis of media information on sport and disability, with particular reference to current affairs and news. Company archives (Teche RAI) are also available, which document the methods in which radio and television deal with these themes.
2. Research and studies on how the summer 2006 paralympic athletes are followed by the media. Rai will also support these activities with its multi-media archives. Interviews with disabled Italian and international athletes who will be in Turin for the paralympics.
3. Presentation of useful materials to develop the paralympic site, with research and dossiers on the sporting and social themes.
4. Research into the accessibility of sports structures for people with disabilities, with particular reference to Piedmont.

INSTITUTIONS AND COMPANIES AREA

5. Research into the workplace access methods for the disabled in Italy (types of information, activities and contracts used, the impact of the use of I.T., etc.)
6. Research into the role of the institutions and the non-profit organisations in politics and social integration and work initiatives for people with disabilities.

COMMUNICATION AREA (in collaboration with the Social Communication Campaign Watchdog)

7. Analysis of social communication on disability.
8. Analysis of social advertising on disability, in Italy and abroad.

Other themes can be directly agreed with RAI officials.

Tools available

The RAI Teche archive is available and acts as a vast collection of information on television and radio broadcasts.

How to apply

Students and new graduates must directly contact Dr. Massimo Maglorio, Tel. +39 011 8104536, +39 011 8102317 or send an e-mail to m.maglorio@rai.it.