The Portale SIVA is a public website maintained by the Don Gnocchi Foundation that provides information on assistive technologies. It includes databases on over 4,000 assistive products, 1,800 companies, 137 information centers, and additional libraries and resources. The site aims to improve independence and quality of life for people with disabilities. It began in 2003 through collaboration between the Italian Ministry of Welfare and Don Gnocchi Foundation and now receives around 100,000 visitors annually.

1. Portale SIVA
www.portale.siva.it
The SIVA Web Portal is a public
information service on assistive
technology products and related
resources that can help improve
autonomy, quality of life and
participation of people with
disabilities and elderly persons.
It is an initiative of the Don Gnocchi
Foundation having social and
scientific aims, independent of any
commercial interest.

2. Portale SIVA
www.portale.siva.it
A BIT OF HISTORY
YEAR 2003
The Italian Ministry of Welfare intended to
provide a solid response to a basic information
need of citizen with disabilities, of elderly
citizens, of their families and of professional in
the field,
by setting up an internet portal on AT
within the framework of the EYPD (European
Year of Person with Disabilities),

3. A BIT OF HISTORY
YEAR 2003
In order to achieve that goal, The
asked for the collaboration of The Don
Carlo Gnocchi Foundation, that has
working fo 50 years at high standard in
care, rehabilitation, social inclusion and
empowerment of people with
In particular, its SIVA Service (Assistive Technology Information and counslling
service) guided at that time by Eng. Renzo Andrich, has been working for over
20 years as a pioneer and leader at national level in research, consultancy and
information on AT.
Portale SIVA
www.portale.siva.it

4. PORTALE SIVA TODAY: 5 DATABASES
1)Assistive technologies 4203
A catalogue of AT products available on the italian market.
2)Enterprises 1800
Manufacturers, suppliers and retailers of the AT products included in the AT database
3)Centres 137
Centres offering information and counselling services on AT, or carryng out research and development
activities at national or international level.
4) Ideas 631
A catalogue of ideas that suggests how daily life problems related to disability can be solved by means of
mainstream products, creative “ways to do things” etc…
5) Library 449
Scientific papers, Handbooks, tools for operators, Online lectures, thematic website: a wealth of information
and educational material for those who wish to develop their Know how on the subject.
Portale SIVA
www.portale.siva.it

5. DIFFERENT SEARCH METHODS
• Basic search: enter the terms you wish to search
• Guided search trhough the EN ISO 9999:2016
standard classification
• Advanced search for expert users
http://www.portale.siva.it/en-
GB/databases/products/searches
Portale SIVA
www.portale.siva.it

6. SEARCH RESULTS
Product data sheets:
Each product record includes detailed technical informations, pictures, references to
manufactures and suppliers.
Portale SIVA
www.portale.siva.it

7. SERVICES
1)Help SIVA Portal (the siva portal handbook
which gives instructio about portal navigation
and updating)
2)Info request
The opportunity to e-mail specific questions
to SIVA experts, who are prepared to answer
and possibly refer to an expert centre
whenever professional assessment is needed.
3) My folder
A cart where collect and print record of all
product found of interest in the database
4) NHS List
The guided search trough italian NHS
eligibility list
Portale SIVA
www.portale.siva.it

8. I
SUBMIT
The public section where everybody can
to our editorial team information on new
assistive products, enterprises, centres, ideas
and document to propose their intefgartin
the databases.
Our editorial team is then encharged to
check any info received and follow a
procedure that leads to the possible
of the information received
RESTRICTED AREA
Where company and centres listed into the
Portal can manage and update their content
Portale SIVA
www.portale.siva.it

9. IMPACT:
Google Analytics data: about 100.000 visitors /year
Years 2019-2020
Portale SIVA
www.portale.siva.it
• Local level (SIVA SERVICE whithin Don Gnocchi Foundation):
Ensure high standard of care to our SIVA patients

10. IMPACT
Italian level:
• We are asked to produce a quarterly section
on the «Italian Journal of rehabilitation
medicine»
• Since 2017, The Ministry of Education
indicated SIVA Portal as a reference for
acquiring information and codes for the
acquisition of AT for schools throught public
funding.
International level:
• It is part of the Global Assistive Technology
Information Network (EASTIN).
Portale SIVA
www.portale.siva.it

11. SUSTAINABILITY
The collaboration with the Ministry of Welfare
renewed in the following years until 2008.
Subsequently, the Don Gnocchi Foundation
continued by providing for the management and
continuous updating of the Portal with its own
with research resources.
Portale SIVA
www.portale.siva.it

12. FUTURE DEVELOPMENT
Improving the search methods for the
inexperienced user, for example through
simple iconographic navigation
Portale SIVA
www.portale.siva.it

13. FUTURE DEVELOPMENT
Improving the system usability for
health professionals.
In particular improving the tool
developed to assist Italian
prescribers for the formulation of
prescriptions eligible for provision
through the National Health
to their patients.
Portale SIVA
www.portale.siva.it

14. Thank you for your kind attention!!!
E-mail: csalatino@dongnocchi.it ; lpigini@dongnocchi.it