AURA

Autism-Understanding Real-time Accessibility

AURA aims to improve the autonomy of people with autism, proposing a new environmental monitoring system to improve sensory accessibility.

The Challenge

Autistic individuals often face challenges with sensory processing complicating their navigation and experience in spaces, due to factors like noise & light levels, temperature, humidity, ventilation, etc. Although accessibility is becoming a priority in design, efforts focus on physical barriers, neglecting sensory aspects affecting the experience, leading to discomfort & even exclusion for many. Advancements in portable & wearable technologies enable low-cost, real-time environmental monitoring, yet these tools are often inaccessible or not tailored to users’ needs. Meanwhile, VET & service providers often lack the knowledge and tools to measure how the environment affects autistic individuals, as sensory features and experience assessment has been relying on research, prior exposure to the conditions and/or assumptions.

Our Solution

AURA adapts an open-source environmental monitoring system into an inclusive, project-based training programme that empowers autistic individuals to develop digital skills while actively assessing sensory accessibility in public spaces. Through user-friendly digital tools, participants can access real-time information on sensory conditions before visiting a location—supporting informed choices and reducing stress—and contribute experiential feedback after their visit, generating data that supports continuous improvements in accessibility. At the same time, VET professionals are equipped with practical competences in digital tools and environmental inclusivity, fostering collaboration with technology experts and public authorities to better understand sensory impacts and promote the design and implementation of more inclusive, sensory-friendly public environments.VET providers, tech experts, and autism advocates are united to create a user-focused, technically sound training curriculum. With the support of municipalities (Keratsini-Drapetsona) and national & EU associations (The Net & EAMHID), it drives policy discussions on sensory accessibility, ensuring local commitment, support dissemination and advocacy at all levels.

Type of Project

KA220-VET-18293CF4-Coorperation partnerships in vocational education and training

Project Outputs

The projects results include training resources, monitoring technology, digital interface and awareness outcomes through tailored guidelines. The partnership intends to delve deeper into open-source practices in environmental education and explore their potential for scalability and transferability, fostering a positive environment for sustainable development within this sector.

The Project

AURA objectives are first to equip autistic individuals with practical digital skills using environmental accessibility as a theme, improving employability and social inclusion. Second, to enhance accessibility by improving sensory accessibility in public spaces by reducing anxiety and fostering autonomy for individuals with sensory limitations. Third, provide data-driven insights by correlating real-time environmental data with user feedback to inform building design, and evidence-based policy discussions. Finally, promote a systemic change by enganging public administrations, policymakers, and several other stakeholders to promote inclusive design and foster long-term impact through awareness.

Our Contribution

The activities led by Fab Lab Barcelona team at IAAC most prominently involve the needs assessment, the overall technical research design, and implementation. We are responsible for the creation of the AURA device and the adaptation of the Smart Citizen Kit/Ecosystem. Fab Lab Barcelona has extensive experience in open devices and digital platforms for participatory monitoring of the urban environment, enabling vulnerable communities to better understand their surroundings and respond to environmental challenges. Our contributions to AURA build on the lasting development the Smart Citizen trajectory, which has counted on several improvements since 2012.

Who is it for?

AURA Project is designed for a multi-layered ecosystem of beneficiaries, directly empowering autistic individuals through hands-on digital skills training and experiential co-creation, equipping VET and service providers with inclusive curricula and accessibility-driven competences, and engaging technology and accessibility experts to adapt monitoring systems, validate usability, and advance research—while working alongside public administrations to pilot solutions and foster inclusive public spaces, and indirectly raising awareness and capacity among the general public, caregivers and families, as well as policymakers, designers, and urban planners, by providing evidence-based insights that inform more sensory-friendly, inclusive environments. In short, AURA addresses public administration, professional educators and people with autism in Girona, Bologna and Pireaus. AURA will lead to the activation of several training courses the testing phase of the new devices and the connected digital system.