This Thematic Network will facilitate and co-ordinate the implementation of a European Web Portal able to provide information on ICT-based Assistive products which are available in Europe, and on related organisations and services. The Portal will also allow access to repositories of freeware, open source software products and tools for developers of accessibility and assistive solutions, or for mainstream developers who wish to make their products accessible; and will serve as a platform to share expertise, ideas, views, resources and field experience.Such a Portal will initially stem from the existing portal of the European Assistive Technology Information Network (EASTIN); it will take advantage of existing repositories such as the Open Source AT Software (OATSoft), the Open Accessibility Everywhere Group (AOEG) and other Internet resources made available by the partners; it will be maintained in the long term through a collaborative effort of the partners, some of them being committed at national level to be information providers in the field of AT; others being committed as developers of tools and holders of expertise in the area of ICT assistive solutions.Some unique features of the EASTIN engine will be instrumental in ensuring outreach across Europe. These include full multilingualism for all EU languages; the ability to integrate an unlimited number of different information systems, and the flexibility to cope with the temporary unavailability of any such system.This Thematic Network will help 1) make information on available AT and accessibility products and services easily available to the users; 2) connect developers, providers and suppliers of AT solutions from all over Europe; 3) connect developers and professionals (in the health, social services, and educational areas) with end-users of AT, thus injecting the users' viewpoint and allowing users' feedback; 4) overcome fragmentation in the AT market.