Verlab Research Institute for biomedical engineering of medical devices and artificial intelligence – DEPI – Digital Empowerment for Public Institution Accessibility

Challenge: Sarajevo: How to improve the availability of assistive technologies for people with disabilities?

Target Group: People with Disabilities

The pilot project “DEPI – Digital Empowerment for Public Institution Accessibility” focused on creating a digital accessibility map for public institutions in Sarajevo, aiming to improve inclusivity for people with disabilities. The project developed a mobile application, InMap, which provides key accessibility information for various institutions, focusing initially on municipalities, social services, healthcare, and educational institutions.

Co-creation activities included collaboration with disability associations, stakeholders, and potential end-users. Feedback was gathered through meetings, webinars, and a roundtable event, ensuring the app was user-centered and aligned with the needs of marginalized communities. The activities have reached out to approximately 100 people, of whom around 40 were representative of people with disabilities. Notable co-creation sessions included testing the app and refining its features based on user feedback. Key results include the successful development of the app prototype and a database of accessibility information. Challenges such as data collection difficulties due to outdated or uncentralized information were addressed through direct fieldwork.

The next steps involve finalizing the app’s improvements, expanding the database, and launching the solution for wider use, with plans to apply for further funding to increase coverage. This initiative was carried out as part of the CommuniCIty project, in collaboration with the City of Sarajevo, with the aim of enhancing digital skills and empowering the local community.