Dear Subscriber First Name,
Warm greetings from ATscale, the Global Partnership for Assistive Technology. You are receiving this quarterly update because you have shown an interest in ATscale by signing up to our mailing list, joining an event or supporting us in some way.
Spotlight
Mark your calendar: two important milestone days are coming up!
Mark your calendars for 1 March, as we support the International Society of Wheelchair Professionals campaign to celebrate #InternationalWheelchairDay2025, a day dedicated to recognizing the invaluable contributions of wheelchair users and those who support them.
Around the world, events are already planned—including in South Africa and Lebanon—highlighting the transformative impact of wheelchairs in enhancing mobility and independence. This day is also a call to action for greater accessibility and inclusion.
Join us in celebrating progress and advocating for a world where everyone has the assistive technology they need to thrive. Learn more about International Wheelchair Day and how you can get involved.
Changing mindsets: Empower yourself to make ear and #HearingCare a reality for all! This is the theme for this year’s World Hearing Day, led by WHO.
By 2030, over 500 million people are expected to have disabling hearing loss requiring rehabilitation. Find out how you can take steps today to promote good hearing health throughout the lifecourse! 👉Learn more.
Follow our social media channels in the coming days as we observe both of these important milestone days, like and share the posts and help us to spread the word!
ATscale-supported country programmes
Unlocking potential: How assistive technology is transforming lives in Kenya
The Ministry of Health in Kenya, in partnership with the Kenya Society for the Blind, has completed assistive products training over the last three months. Training included braille literacy, the use of orbit readers, and text-to-speech software. Additionally, assistive technology has been integrated into the Kenya Medical Supply Authority's (KEMSA) logistics management system, enhancing distribution and accessibility.
👉Read more about the impact of the programme
Restoring sight, building a brighter future: Sustainable refractive error services empower Cambodian communities
In Cambodia, the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) is strengthening vision care through the establishment and upgrading of Public Vision Centers (PVCs). Partners have expanded physical rehabilitation services via government-managed PRCs and 10 times more community outreach sessions organized. These efforts have contributed to bring in the total number of people reached with assistive technology to over a million (1,091,240 people, 52% women and girls) as of 31st December.
To ensure every child can reach their full potential, a second programme, the Scaling Up Refractive Error Services (SURES Phase II) project is actively facilitating vision screenings in schools.
This initiative includes referrals and the provision of eyeglasses for children in need. Through collaboration with the government, the project is instrumental in shaping policies for sustainable eye care services. Key efforts include developing a Guideline on Eye Health Care Inclusion to enhance the capacity of health and eye care providers, as well as implementing capacity-building programmes to strengthen service delivery.
👉Read more about our work in Cambodia to address the issue of uncorrected refractive error
Unlocking potential: breaking down barriers to access assistive technology through local research and advocacy
ATscale, in collaboration with the International Disability Alliance (IDA), aims to position AT users as equal partners in prominent dialogues on assistive technology, including them in all aspects of ATscale’s work, through a project titled “Boosting AT user engagement and knowledge, globally and locally.”
The project includes microgrants and following the successful conclusion of the first round, where valuable lessons were learned, we are excited to launch the second round of microgrants.
👉Read more about the difference the project is making
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ATscale and Momentum Wheels for Humanity pave the way for humanitarian emergency preparedness.
In a move to bolster humanitarian emergency preparedness, ATscale has recently signed a grant agreement with Momentum Wheels for Humanity (MWH). This will enable the prepositioning of four kits of essential and life-saving assistive products, ready for deployment from March onwards.
This strategic partnership significantly enhances the humanitarian community’s ability to address assistive products needs effectively during crises.
Campaign updates
Save the date for World Day for Assistive Technology 2025!
The first ever World Day for Assistive Technology was launched on 4 June 2024 as part of the Unlock The Everyday campaign. During this impressive celebration of assistive technology initiatives, the campaign film was launched, social media assets were shared by thousands in 12 languages and the day was celebrated in over 20 low-income countries.
Join campaign partners again this year as we aim to build on early successes, engaging more AT users, country partners, and the private sector to make an even bigger splash both through national events and global digital media to raise awareness and build political will.
For now, save the date (4 June 2025) and watch this space for more information on the theme, call to action, and an updated toolkit to help you to plan your events and engage on the day.
ATscale on the road
The ATscale team continues to conduct dynamic and impactful meetings with government counterparts and development partners in ATscale-supported countries as well as at global and regional events.
Pascal Bijleveld, ATscale CEO giving opening remarks at the “International dialogue: Improving Global Access to Assistive Technology”at the China Care & Rehabilitation Expo 2024
Improving global access to assistive technology at China Care and Rehabilitation Expo 2024
At the International Dialogue: Improving Global Access to Assistive Technology ATscale joined global experts at the China Care & Rehabilitation Expo 2024 to discuss innovative solutions for improving access to assistive technology worldwide. 👉Read more.
En route to China, Pascal Bijleveld engaged in discussions with the Nippon Foundation, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and the Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) to strengthen partnerships and explore avenues for future collaboration.
In December, the ATscale team visited Fiji, Kiribati, and Solomon Islands to meet with government officials and stakeholders for the vision and hearing program. The purpose of these meetings was to secure commitment and support from the countries' leadership, disseminate information about Call for Proposals (CFPs) to in-country partners, and gather information about the current situation in each country regarding procurement of eyeglasses and hearing aids, existing infrastructure, and regulatory frameworks.
ATscale participated in the Global Labor Market Conference in Riyadh, under the patronage of His Majesty King Salman bin Abduziz Al Saud. On 30 January Pascal spoke at a roundtable entitled “A future where everyone can thrive”, focusing on how businesses are embracing diverse workforces.
ATscale's programme team held meetings in Colombia and El Salvador during the first week of February. The team met with government counterparts and other stakeholders to discuss strategies for improving access to assistive technology (AT) in the country.
On 5 February, Satish Mishra, ATscale Head of Global Programmes, spoke at an event hosted by Additive Manufacturing Strategies in New York. The discussion focused on how 3D printing is shaping the assistive technology sector.
Partner updates
“Disability inclusion starts with me, with you, with all of us”- Gopal Mitra
Watch Gopal Mitra, Global Lead on Disability and Development, UNICEF, talk about disability inclusion during the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
New opportunities
ATscale is expanding its team! Explore current vacancies on the ATscale website:
📌 We're looking for experts in:
- Digital assistive technology
- Eye and vision care
- Ear and hearing care
- Wheelchairs and mobility products
- Prosthetics and orthotics
- Assistive technology policies and systems
If you have expertise in any of these areas, we encourage you to apply!
📅 Deadline for applications: 7 March 2025
📌 Senior Programme Manager: Support the implementation of ATscale’s strategy to increase access to assistive technology, focusing on country-based and global interventions.
📍Location: Geneva, Switzerland
📅 Deadline for applications: 7 March 2025
Help us to spread the word by sharing these opportunities with your network partners.
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About ATscale
ATscale, the Global Partnership for Assistive Technology is a cross-sector global partnership, hosted by UNOPS, with a mission to improve people’s lives through assistive technology. It catalyses action to ensure that, by 2030, an additional 500 million people in low- and middle-income countries get the assistive technology they need.
Today, 2.5 billion people globally need to use at least one type of assistive technology, such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, prostheses, eyeglasses or digital services. In low-income countries only 10% of people have the assistive technology they need, in stark contrast to 90% of people in need in high-income countries who do.
ATscale works with governments, assistive technology users and organizations, NGOs, bilateral donors, and multilateral organizations to increase awareness and political will, and encourage innovation and investment in assistive technology markets, systems and services.
ATscale, the Global Partnership for Assistive Technology - hosted by UNOPS
ATscale, Chem. des Anémones 11, 1219 Chatelaine, Switzerland