Assistive Technology - What We Know Now

ATscale co-hosted side event with WHO, UNICEF and GDI Hub at the 15th Conference of State Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

13 June 2022

Watch the recording of the session:

• in English - speaker view

• in English - side-by-side view (for international sign language)

  Listen here:

• in Arabic

• in French

• in Spanish

Moderator:

• Dido Manolov, UNICEF Young Champion for Social and Behaviour Change

Introductions:

• Mariangela Simao, Assistant Director-General, Access to Medicines & Health Products, WHO

• Etleva Kadilli, Director of Supply Division, UNICEF

Panellists:

• Fernando Botelho, Programme Specialist, Assistive Technology, UNICEF

• Ms Martine Abel-Williamson, President, World Blind Union

• Kartik Sawhney, from network for young people with disabilities

• Firoz ALIZADA, Implementation Support Officer / Victim Assistance Specialist, Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention Implementation Support Unit, WHO

• Bernard Chiira, Director, Innovate Now, Africa

Closing remarks:

• Pascal Bijleveld, CEO, ATscale, Global Partnership for Assistive Technology

• Victoria Austin, Co-Founder & CEO, GDI Hub

This virtual event provided a unique opportunity to ask questions about the Global Report on assistive technology and share in a discussion about next steps, looking further at how governments, business, decision makers, academics and individuals can be drivers to change, in this hugely underestimated sector.

The first-ever Global Report on assistive technology, prepared by the WHO and UNICEF, was launched in May 2022. It provides the latest population data, a global snapshot of access to AT and covers policy, product and workforce availability, and service delivery. The Global Report clearly shows the significant unmet and growing need, which is most pressing in low- and middle-income countries. Ten key recommendations in the report highlight the way forward.