“Hand in Hand” is a charitable association with the motto “Live, Laugh and Learn” – in Leoben-Hinterberg, Austria, it runs a centre for people with Down Syndrome that is unique in Europe. The Institute has specialised particularly in individual pedagogical diagnosis and support for people with trisomy 21. The multimedia room – which AT&S’s donation made possible – was needed in order to be able to communicate effectively to parents, as the primary carers for affected children, the importance of discoveries in modern brain research for cognitive development methods.

 

“We want our special health and education projects to make a significant contribution to the well-being of the people in the catchment areas of our facilities worldwide. Last year we financed the construction and equipment of a medical centre and a kindergarten in India. This year we are supporting the Down Syndrome Competence Centre in Leoben-Hinterberg. We see this as a fantastic opportunity to help provide people with trisomy 21 with the best possible development support,” is how Harald Sommerer, Chairman of the AT&S Management Board, explains the involvement of the Styrian printed circuit board manufacturer. The multimedia room will in future ensure the practical and interactive transfer of knowledge as a fundamental building block in the further education of children and young people. The President of the Association, Jürgen Wieser, is very pleased: “The new possibilities that the multimedia room opens up are a very important element in our strategy, and bring us appreciably closer to our goal. One of our most important tasks is to prepare people with Down Syndrome for integration into the working world.”

The Down Syndrome Competence Centre in Leoben-Hinterberg is unique in Europe. The Centre opened in July 2009. With facilities like the Maths Garden, the Path of Inspiration, and Reading Rally, it offers novel opportunities for encouraging children and young people with trisomy 21. The second stage is to encourage integration into the working environment. The plan is to operate a cafe and bio-bakery in the Centre, which will create some 10 jobs. For more information visit www.down-syndrom.at

 

AT&S Austria Technologie & Systemtechnik Aktiengesellschaft (AT&S) is the European market leader and one of the world’s most efficient printed circuit board manufacturers. AT&S is especially well positioned in the market for high-tech HDI Microvia printed circuit boards, which are chiefly used in mobile devices. The Group is also highly successful in the automotive, industrial and medical sectors. AT&S is a fast growing international business and has a global reach through its production facilities in Austria (Leoben, Fehring and Klagenfurt), India (Nanjangud), China (Shanghai) and Korea (Ansan, near Seoul). For more information visit www.ats.net

 

Press Contact:

AT&S Austria Technologie & Systemtechnik AG

Hans Lang, Head of IR & Communication

+43 (0) 1 68 300-9259, h.lang@ats.net