Introducing AURA: digital skills, sensory Accessibility and Autonomy for Autistic Individuals
The AURA project (Autism-Understanding Real-time Accessibility) brings together a diverse European consortium of six organisations from Greece, Italy, Spain, and Belgium, combining expertise in mental health, disability support, vocational education and training (VET), inclusive design, and digital innovation. Coordinated by the Psychosocial Organisation (PLOES), the partnership includes AIAS Bologna
ONLUS, Fundació Support-Girona, the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC), Omega Technology, and ARFIE Belgium. This multidisciplinary collaboration ensures that AURA is grounded both in real-life experience with autistic individuals and in cutting-edge technological and research-driven approaches to accessibility .
Running from November 2025 to October 2027, AURA aims to enhance autonomy and quality of life for autistic individuals by combining digital skills training with a new understanding of accessibility. At its core, the project develops an innovative training framework that connects vocational education with real-time environmental monitoring. Through three complementary training pathways—targeting professionals, public administrations, and autistic individuals—AURA promotes practical skills in understanding sensory environments, using digital tools, and making informed decisions about participation in everyday spaces. By adapting open-source technologies into user-friendly tools, the project transforms environmental data into meaningful, actionable knowledge that can support both individuals and institutions.
A key innovation of AURA lies in its focus on sensory accessibility, an often overlooked dimension of inclusion. While accessibility is commonly associated with physical barriers, autistic individuals frequently face challenges related to sensory overload—such as noise, lighting, crowding, or unpredictable environmental conditions—which can significantly affect participation and well-being. AURA introduces a two-level approach: enabling individuals to assess sensory conditions before entering a space, and to provide real-time feedback based on their experience.
This combination of objective environmental data and subjective lived experience creates a powerful tool for understanding and improving accessibility. In doing so, the project not only supports self-regulation and autonomy but also contributes to more inclusive design practices and better-informed public policies.
Currently, AURA has completed its initial research phase, including qualitative studies with professionals and autistic individuals across participating countries, as well as review of recent scientific findings. These findings have highlighted the real impact of sensory barriers on daily life and social participation, while also identifying effective strategies for adaptation and support. Building on this foundation, the next stages of the project will focus on implementing and piloting the training programmes, deploying the environmental monitoring tools, and evaluating their impact in real-world contexts. At the same time, dissemination and sustainability actions will ensure that AURA’s results can be scaled and adopted beyond the project’s duration. Through this ongoing work, AURA aims to contribute to a future where accessibility is not only about removing barriers, but about creating environments that are truly responsive to human diversity.
