A new report published by the WHO and UNICEF revealed that more than 2.5 billion people need one or more assistive products, such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, or apps that support communication and cognition.
Yet, nearly one billion of them are denied access, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where access can be as low as 3% of the need for these life-changing products.
The Global Report on Assistive Technology presents evidence for the first time on the global need for and access to assistive products and provides a series of recommendations to expand availability and access, raise awareness of the need, and implement inclusion policies to improve the lives of millions of people.
“Assistive technology is a life changer – it opens the door to education for children with impairments, employment and social interaction for adults living with disabilities, and an independent life of dignity for older persons”, WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said.
“Denying people access to these life-changing tools is not only an infringement of human rights, it’s economically shortsighted. We call on all countries to fund and prioritize access to assistive technology and give everyone a chance to live up to their potential”.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
Meanwhile, UNICEF Executive Director, Catherine Russell, noted that nearly 240 million children have disabilities. Denying children the right to the products they need to thrive, she said, doesn’t only harm individual children but deprives families and their communities of everything they could contribute if their needs were met.
“Without access to assistive technology, children with disabilities will continue to miss out on their education, continue to be at a greater risk of child labor and continue to be subjected to stigma and discrimination, undermining their confidence and wellbeing”.
Catherine Russell
Demand for assistive products likely to rise to 3.5 billion by 2050
The report stated that the number of people in need of one or more assistive products is likely to rise to 3.5 billion by 2050, due to populations ageing and the prevalence of non-communicable diseases rising across the world.
The report also highlighted the vast gap in access between low- and high-income countries. An analysis of 35 countries reveals that access varies from 3% in poorer nations to 90% in wealthy countries.
Affordability is a major barrier to access, the report noted. Around two thirds of people with assistive products reported out-of-pocket payments for them. Others reported relying on family and friends to financially support their needs.
A survey of 70 countries featured in the report, found large gaps in service provision and trained workforce for assistive technology, especially in the domains of cognition, communication and self-care.
Previous surveys published by WHO revealed a lack of awareness and unaffordable prices, lack of services, inadequate product quality, range and quantity, and procurement and supply chain challenges as key barriers.
Assistive products are generally considered a means to participate in community life and in wider society on an equal footing with others; without them, people suffer exclusion, are at risk of isolation, live in poverty, may face hunger, and be forced to depend more on family, community and government support.
The positive impact of assistive products goes beyond improving the health, well-being, participation and inclusion of individual users – families and societies also benefit.
According to the WHO, access to assistive technology for children with disabilities is often the first step for childhood development, access to education, participation in sports and civic life, and getting ready for employment like their peers.
Children with disabilities have additional challenges due to their growth, which requires frequent adjustments or replacements of their assistive products.
The report, recommended among others, the need to improve access within education, health and social care systems. It also called for urgent steps to ensure availability, safety, effectiveness and affordability of assistive products and the need to increase public awareness and combat stigma.
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