Technology for Inclusion and Participation for All: Recent Achievements and Future Directions

This two-volume set constitutes the proceedings of the 18th biennial AAATE Conference on Technology for Inclusion and Participation for All: Recent Achievements and Future Directions, AAATE 2025, which took place in Nicosia, Cyprus, during September 10-12, 2025. The 107 full papers included in the proceedings were carefully reviewed and selected from a total of 224 submissions.

This collection of papers explores the intersection of advanced technologies, accessibility, and inclusion across education, healthcare, and the workplace. It emphasizes the development and implementation of assistive technologies to support individuals with diverse needs, particularly those with cognitive, sensory, and mobility impairments, and older adults.

The key topics explored are as follows:

·       Inclusive education and workplace participation: How to exploit digital tools, Universal Design for Learning, and AI to foster inclusive learning environments and equitable access to employment.

·       Digital accessibility: How to plan and design accessible digital spaces to enhance digital inclusion.

·       Assistive technology for mobility and navigation: Exploring advances in wheelchairs technologies, mobility and indoor navigation systems to enhance autonomy and participation for all users.

·       Assistive technology in healthcare and rehabilitation: Understanding how to integrate interactive technologies such as virtual reality, eye-tracking, and serious games for diagnosing and rehabilitation of neurodevelopmental disorders, and integrating assistive technologies in healthcare settings.

·       Artificial Intelligence and robotics: Exploring AI's role in care ecosystems, higher education, and robotic assistance, especially for children and aging populations.

·       Assistive Technology design and impact: Focusing on user-centered co-design, outcome measurement, and training to ensure effective and sustainable assistive technology solutions.

·       Communication and cognitive support: Advancing augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) tools and technologies tailored for cognitive disabilities.

·       Cultural and social inclusion: Promoting inclusive experiences in public spaces like museums through co-design and emerging technologies.