Tonga

Objectives of the programme: To support government-led programmes aimed at improving access to assistive technology and directly related rehabilitation services for school-aged children, by focusing on improving integrated screening for vision, hearing and mobility, together with provision of spectacles, hearing aids and mobility products for school-aged children.  

Programme description: The ATscale Pacific Programme supports countries in the Pacific to scale up access to assistive technology for school-aged children through government-led, system-strengthening approaches. The programme will strengthen health, education and community-based service delivery, integrating vision, hearing and mobility screening.

It focuses on building workforce capacity, strengthening procurement and data systems, and supporting the delivery of appropriate, quality assistive products with follow-up and referral within national healthcare systems. The programme prioritizes equity by reaching girls, children with disabilities and those in remote and outer islands, while promoting regional coordination to build sustainable national assistive technology systems.