Technology Initiative for the Disabled and Elderly (TIDE): ESC Opinion
The Economic and Social Committee, at its Plenary Session of 30 June 1993, adopted an Opinion on the Commission's proposal for a Council Decision concerning a Community Technology Initiative for Disabled and Elderly People (TIDE, 1993-1994). The ESC's Opinion, which has now been published in the Official Journal, considers that the proposed TIDE initiative, building on the results of the TIDE pilot action, is a positive step towards the creation of an internal market in rehabilitation technology, to aid the elderly and disabled to play a more active part in economic and social life. In order to meet the twofold objectives of (a) creating a market in dedicated rehabilitation aids and technologies and (b) allowing disabled and older people to play a full role in the world of work, the Committee notes that further action will be needed. The type of assistance should be extended: at present it focuses on a few particular aspects of applied science, for instance telematics. In the interests of the two stated objectives, it is important that the initiative should not be too narrowly based. Systematic multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary links should be forged with the four-year RTD Framework Programme and with the planned application of the structural funds. To create a large-scale market and to integrate properly the elderly and the disabled it is important to ensure that all types of aid for overcoming physiological barriers in general are widely available. To this end it is essential to keep a record of users. User associations should participe in a synergetic fashion alongside research institutes. In order to make the TIDE scheme more effective, a special coordination group should be set up to provide systematic linkage between the various types of measures taken in the different Directorates-General. The Committee reserves the right to make other comments and to put forward further ideas in an additional Opinion on this subject.