Assistive technology national policy, strategy, planning (NPSP) costing tool

Two different costing tools were developed - one that supports planning at a strategic level and one for the costing of concrete assistive product provision packages. They are Excel-based assistive technology costing models that allow for tailoring to take into account different scale-up strategies, models of provision and the inclusion of different assistive products (eyeglasses, hearing aids, wheelchairs, prostheses). The tools are versatile and adaptable to varied contexts.
 

1. AT National Policy, Strategy, Planning (NPSP) Costing Tool

The AT National Policy, Strategy, Planning (NPSP) Costing Tool calculates multi-year cost projections of the resources needed to implement strategic activities and inventions linked to a national assistive technology policy, strategy or plan, and produces multi-year cost projections. It is designed for health planners and policymakers to help inform budget planning and financing dialogue.

The tool has already been used in Liberia, Malawi and Sierra Leone to cost national assistive technology plans.
 

The package includes:

• NPSP user guide
• NPSP blank tool
• NPSP tool populated with sample data

2. Assistive Product Provision (APP) Costing Tool

The Assistive Product Provision (APP) Costing Tool calculates costs for a five-year projection of start-up costs and incremental costs per person for assistive product provision packages. The tool can also model combined provision of these services (e.g., within school health or primary health care). The tool is designed for health system managers and policymakers to help plan future services and prepare investment cases.

The tool has been used in South Africa to cost comprehensive hearing services and will also be used to plan the cost of integrated vision and hearing service provision. 

The package includes:

• APP user guide
• APP blank tool
• APP tool populated with sample data