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Kinect4FOG: monitoring and improving mobility in people with Parkinson’s using a novel system incorporating the Microsoft Kinect v2

AMINI, Amin
BANITSAS, Konstantinos
YOUNG, William R
2018

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Parkinson’s is a neurodegenerative condition associated with several motor symptoms including tremors and slowness of movement. Freezing of gait (FOG); the sensation of one’s feet being “glued” to the floor, is one of the most debilitating symptoms associated with advanced Parkinson’s. FOG not only contributes to falls and related injuries, but also compromises quality of life as people often avoid engaging in functional daily activities both inside and outside the home. In the current study, we describe a novel system designed to detect FOG and falling in people with Parkinson’s (PwP) as well as monitoring and improving their mobility using laser-based visual cues cast by an automated laser system. The system utilizes a RGB-D sensor based on Microsoft Kinect v2 and a laser casting system consisting of two servo motors and an Arduino microcontroller. This system was evaluated by 15 PwP with FOG. Here, we present details of the system along with a summary of feedback provided by PwP. Despite limitations regarding its outdoor use, feedback was very positive in terms of domestic usability and convenience, where 12/15 PwP showed interest in installing and using the system at their homes.

ICTs in education for people with disabilities

WATKINS, Amanda
TOKAREVA, Natalia
TURNER, Marcella
2011

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This is "a report presenting concrete examples of practice of the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) with people with disabilities in different educational contexts and settings. In particular, the review was targeted at considering examples of practice that can be considered to be ‘innovative’ within the specific educational setting and wider societal context they were situated within...The aims of this Practice Review are to use the collected examples in order to: highlight a range of different purposes for using ICT in education for people with disabilities, identify possible key messages for policy and practice in this area"

How to accelerate your Internet : a practical guide to bandwidth management and optimisation using open source software

FLICKENGER, R
Ed
October 2006

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Information and communications technologies and the Internet have become critical components of development policies and practices. The speed of the Internet, however, is also the measure of a growing disparity between developed and developing countries. This publication provides practical tips, optimisation techniques and guidance on how to gain the largest benefits from network connections, with a particular focus on use of Internet in developing countries. Chapters cover a comprehensive range of issues, from policy development to monitoring and analysis, implementation of basic techniques, and general good practices. Include case studies, resources and glossary

Framework for the assessment of ICT pilot projects : beyond monitoring and evaluation to applied research

BATCHELOR, S
NORRISH, P
2005

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This publication is aims to help all stakeholders in ICT pilot projects to gather the rigorous evidence needed to make forward looking judgments and decisions about ICT for development projects. It explores both the need of pilot projects to implement a Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) system that will ensure the pilot fulfils its developmental purpose for its clients and beneficiaries, and the need of pilot projects to put in place evidence based research for proof of concept (how the pilot could contribute to development priorities and how it might be taken to scale from a forward looking perspective). It then presents steps that a project manager should undertake to ensure an effective evaluation process

NFE-MIS handbook : developing a sub-national non-formal education management information system

CRONNAL, Criana
SAUVAGEOT, Claude
2005

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This manual provides "an easy-to-use methodology for setting up a Non-Formal Education Management Information System (NFE-MIS). This includes a conceptual framework for NFE, prototype data collection tools, and guidelines for the development of NFE indicators as well as for data analysis. The methodology presented in this Handbook uses a practical, step-by-step approach...At the national level, the NFE-MIS aims at providing policy-makers and planners with reliable, relevant and timely data to allow for informed decision making, better planning and delivery of NFE as well as for monitoring and evaluation of the development of NFE"
ED/BAS/LIT/2005/1

Tools for development : using information and communications technology to achieve the Millennium Development Goals

UNITED NATIONS ICT TASK FORCE SECRETARIAT
December 2003

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Sponsored by the UN ICT Task Force, this paper represents an attempt to define more precisely how ICTs can be used to further the achievement of basic development objectives. Using the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) as a baseline for analysis, the paper conducts a mapping exercise, which links the application of ICTs to broader development goals as expressed in the MDGs. The mapping of ICT tools to the attainment of the millennium goals in specific development areas leads to a series of ICT-specific targets and suggests possible indicators for measuring progress

Resource centre manual : how to set up and manage a resource centre

O'SULLIVAN, Sheila
et al
2003

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Contains practical information on all aspects of setting up and managing a resource centre, from planning, fundraising and finding a suitable location, to collecting and organising materials, developing information services, and monitoring and evaluating the work of the resource centre. It assumes that most readers will use manual systems for organising information, but also explains how computers can be used in resource centres, including e-mail, Internet and databases. It describes how to select database software, and contains a detailed review of three leading database programs. It includes a list of organisations and publications that can provide further information

Biwako millennium framework for action towards an inclusive, barrier-free and rights-based society for persons with disabilities in Asia and the Pacific

UNITED NATIONS ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMISSION FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC (UNESCAP)
January 2003

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Provides information on the Biwako Framework that was adopted in 2002. The document sets out a draft regional framework for action that provides regional policy recommendations for action by governments in the region and concerned stakeholders to achieve an inclusive, barrier-free and rights-based society for disabled people. The regional framework for action explicitly incorporates the millennium development goals and their relevant targets to ensure that concerns relating to disabled people become an integral part of efforts to achieve the goals

Measuring and monitoring the information and knowledge societies : a statistical challenge

UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATION (UNESCO). Institute for Statistics
2003

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The focus of this report is on data systems and measurement issues with regard to ICT, including aspects of data availability, international comparability and quality, as well as content. The overall aim is to support the development of national, regional and international data systems and indicators that are comprehensive, policy relevant and reliable for the proper understanding, monitoring and development of a sustainable and equitable information/knowledge society. The first part of this report includes a stocktaking of selected global ICT data from a variety of sources. This is followed by a discussion of the limitations of the existing data as well as barriers and problems that might be encountered in collecting of such data. The final section of the report discusses what data might be of value to collect in the future. The report concludes with a series of recommendations

LEAP : the learning and evaluation action program

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The Learning and Evaluation Action Program (LEAP) is an initiative to promote a coordinated and comprehensive approach to learning about the use of knowledge and ICTs in international development. It hosts an e-mail discussion list called LEAP-Impact, a community of practice open to all individuals and organisations interested in the evaluation of information services, projects and products. The website includes posted messages, documents and links to further resources on knowledge management, learning and evaluation for development

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