Billions of people worldwide need assistive technology
The Global Report on Assistive Technology (GReAT) reveals that 2.5 billion people worldwide need assistive technology (AT), yet access remains severely limited, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where deficits range from 35 per cent to 97 per cent.
The study will explore how such a system can improve access to AT services for individuals with disabilities, chronic conditions, and the ageing population.
Information systems for AT needs
A major gap is the lack of reliable data on AT needs and availability. Information is fragmented across organizations, poorly standardized, and insufficient for planning and coordination. This limits authorities’ ability to implement sustainable, equitable AT services. AT Information Systems can play a pivotal role in addressing these challenges—by coordinating systematic screening and assessment of AT needs, managing inventories, improving stakeholder coordination, and enabling better planning.
Foundation for a systems-based approach to AT provision
The feasibility study will explore how an AT information system can be integrated into existing information systems for health and education in Uganda, Zambia, and Zanzibar. To ensure robustness and scalability, the system will be developed based on DHIS2, which is already used to develop health information systems in more than 120 low- and middle-income countries. By leveraging existing infrastructure and engaging local stakeholders, the study aims to lay the foundation for a systems-based approach to AT provision—one that improves data quality, coordination, and access to AT for those who need it most.
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