- OATS - Open-Source Assistive

Technology - only one way forward! -

Andrew Lysley

ACE R&D Co-ordinator

Stephen Druce

ACE Projects Officer

An overview

What is “Open-source software”?

What is “Open-source Assistive Technology Software”?

Why this project and who might benefit?

Where next and how you can help?

What is open-source software (OSS)?

• Open-source Software (OSS) is computer software written for any operating system (Windows, Macintosh, Linux, etc.)

• Under a license anyone can change and/or share the software freely

• Open-source software must make its source or programming code freely available

• End-users have the right to modify and redistribute the software

• Open-source software is well established with a large amount of established software available.

Source Forge – biggest OSS websitewith over 110,000 projects

- SCHOOL FORGE -an OSS website for UK Schools

What is the “OATS” Project?

• First web-based open-source software Repository (library) and Forge (dating agency) dedicated to Assistive Technology

• “One-stop shop” for users, clinicians, & developers

• Pilot project to assess service desirability

The OATS Repository- A Library -

The OATS Repository- A Library -

• Listing software in a central web-based database

• Offering simple and easy methods to find appropriate AT software

• Standardising in one place downloading and installation of AT software

• Providing a level of quality assurance to guide potential end users

OATS Repository- SAW 5 -

OATS Repository - Dasher -

The OATS Forge- A Dating Agency -

The OATS Forge- A Dating Agency -

• To attract volunteer software developers

• To develop new AT software based on specific end user needs

• To provide a dynamic discussion forum for end users and open-source developers

Other OATS Services

• Symbol and picture libraries

• Software resources - such as free selection sets and user configurations

• AT software that is not open-source but is free will also be included (eg ZenKeys)

OATS Website Structure

What next?

• Pilot website launch in December ‘05

• Six-month “live” evaluation

• Final report on pilot

• Exit strategy…….

How you can help & participate?

• Spread the word!

• Send examples of OATS

• Send examples of free AT software

• Join the OATS SIG NOW!• oats-sig@lists.becta.org.uk

• www.oatsoft.org

OATS Project Consortium

• The ACE Centre, Oxford (Project Co-ordinator)

• ACT, Birmingham

• Dpt. Of Applied Computing, University of Dundee

• Swedish Institute for Special Needs Education, Gothenberg

OATS Contact details

Andrew LysleyOATS Project Co-ordinatorThe ACE Centre92 Windmill RoadHeadingtonOxford OX3 7DRTel: 01865 759802Email: lysley@ace-centre.org.uk OATS SIG: oats-sig@lists.becta.org.uk Website: www.oatsoft.org (going live in December 2005)