Assistive Technology: transforming today and creATing futures is an exhibition showcasing the transformative power of assistive technology (AT) as part of the Global Disability Summit (GDS) , 2-3 April 2025 and the Civil Society Forum, 1 April 2025, in Berlin, Germany. With this exhibition, we aim to create an experience that educates, excites and challenges perceptions about assistive technology.
The exhibition is curated by ATscale, which was born out of GDS 2018, and is organized in close collaboration with the hosts of the Global Disability Summit, the Government of Germany, the Government of Jordan, together with the International Disability Alliance.
Worldwide, more than 2.5 billion people need to use one or more assistive products and by 2050, an estimated 3.5 billion people will need AT, due to populations ageing and the prevalence of noncommunicable diseases rising. Yet, knowledge of what assistive technology is, the range of assistive products available, the progress made by the AT sector, and the transformative impact that AT can have on people’s lives remains little known. One billion people worldwide cannot access the assistive technology they need. Closing this gap is essential for creating an inclusive world and part of the solution is to highlight the challenges of accessibility, availability and affordability, while sharing promising stories of change and impact from across the world.
We are excited to demonstrate how the assistive technology landscape has evolved across the world, driven by the creativity and dedication of entrepreneurs, researchers, development organizations, private sector leaders, and most importantly, AT users. Today’s exhibition features all of them representing different parts of the world, including South Asia, Africa, South America, Europe, and the USA. Visitors to the exhibition will witness firsthand the impressive functionality of their products and engage in hands-on demonstrations and interactive activities. Visitors will also learn about real life stories of impact from across the world.
We encourage everyone to take this opportunity to explore, learn, ask questions, foster new connections, and generate new ideas. Thank you for being part of this important conversation. Together, we can shape a future where assistive technology is accessible to all.
Assistive technology (AT) is an umbrella term for assistive products such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, prostheses, eyeglasses and digital devices, and their related systems and services.
Assistive technology can be life-changing and can enable people to live healthier, more productive, more independent, and more dignified lives, and to participate in education, the labour market and in their communities.
Everyone has a right to quality and affordable assistive technology. The principle of Leaving No One Behind is impossible without universal access to assistive technology. And yet, assistive technology is a historically neglected and under-resourced area, suffering from massive inequities. Barriers to access are usually greater for people living in low- and middle-income countries, for women and girls, older populations, and those of disadvantaged socioeconomic status.
Worldwide, more than 2.5 billion people need at least one form of assistive technology. Only 10% of people in low-income countries have access to the AT they need. AT is required and can positively impact outcomes at every stage of life — from childhood to adulthood to ageing populations. Research shows that every $1 invested in assistive technology, generates a $9 return to the economy. The benefits of AT extend beyond the individual user to wider society by boosting economic productivity, reducing healthcare costs by enabling preventive care and independent living, as well as promoting inclusivity and equality.
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Access to AT can be strengthened by improving information, availability, and affordability of products. Innovative AT solutions — affordable, locally produced, and high-tech — are emerging globally. New technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), can make AT smarter, more efficient, and more inclusive. Innovations in AT have the potential to benefit all populations. However, transforming new solutions into reality requires collaboration across entrepreneurs, manufacturers, governments, and civil society. Moreover, a conducive ecosystem is required by strengthening health, education, and social protection systems to ensure AT can reach and be effectively used by those who need it. We appeal to partners across sectors for greater global commitment, coordination, and collaboration aimed at increasing global access to AT.
The Global Disability Summit (GDS) is a unique global mechanism that improves the lives of persons with disabilities, especially from the global south. It was created in 2017 to convene global, regional, and national stakeholders that share the same goal and vision for disability inclusive development and humanitarian action: advancing the rights and inclusion of all persons with disabilities through international cooperation. The GDS has made a remarkable impact welcoming approximately 1,200 participants in 2018 and 7,000 participants virtually in 2022, including more than 100 global leaders and 50 state representatives, such as the UN Secretary-General and the WHO Director-General. GDS 2025 aims to build on the momentum of the previous event where commitments were made by hundreds of stakeholders from governments, donors, and international organizations.
ATscale, the Global Partnership for Assistive Technology, was born out of a GDS commitment in 2018. It seems timely and appropriate that ATscale returns 7 years on to show progress made in the AT sector and make a renewed commitment towards positive change.
ATscale is a cross-sector global partnership with a mission to transform people’s lives through assistive technology and provide access to AT to an additional 500 million people in low- and middle- income countries. ATscale convenes partners globally and nationally, and engages AT users, to drive progress across three mutually reinforcing strategic pillars: (i) supporting programmes in over 30 countries; (ii) strengthening global enablers including global tools, research, guidance, and resources; and (iii) advocating for change to catalyse political will, build public awareness and mobilize resources.
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"Access to AT can enable people to live healthier, more productive, independent, and dignified lives."
BRAZIL
The Jô Clemente Institute (IJC) is a civil society organization that, for over 63 years, has been dedicated to promoting health and quality of life for people with intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, and rare diseases. Understanding the challenges that people face in accessing equal opportunities across all areas of life, IJC uses assistive technology to help people with disabilities overcome physical, communication, and social barriers. Assistive technology plays a crucial role in promoting autonomy and inclusion, strengthening rights, and contributing to a fairer, more equal society for all.
www.ijc.org.br
"AT can positively impact every stage of life — from childhood to adulthood to ageing populations."
USA
Benetech is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing accessibility and equity through technology. Their mission is to empower individuals with disabilities, particularly students with learning variabilities in developing countries, by providing inclusive digital solutions that enable them to learn, work, and thrive. Through digital literacy initiatives, they bridge the accessibility gap by leveraging affordable, accessible, and locally available technology, training educators and students in screen readers and assistive tools, and partnering with governments, schools, and NGOs to implement sustainable digital learning solutions. By combining technology with advocacy, they create lasting impact, ensuring that education and opportunity are accessible to all.
www.benetech.org
Photo credits: 1: GO Assistive Technology, 2: Jô Clemente Institute, 3: Benetech
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"More than 2.5 billion people need at least one form of assistive technology."
INDIA
NeoMotion is dedicated to transforming the lives of people with disabilities and the elderly through innovative mobility solutions. With a research and design facility at IIT Madras Research Park, the company has developed NeoFly, a customized wheelchair, and NeoBolt, a motorized clip-on, after extensive trials with wheelchair users across India. These products address critical indoor and outdoor mobility challenges, enhancing accessibility, independence, and overall well-being. With over 6,000 users and a diverse 50-member team (25% of whom are people with disabilities), NeoMotion continues to pioneer assistive technology, ensuring dignity and mobility for all.
www.neomotion.in
"Only 10% of people in low-income countries have access to the AT they need"
"Markets for AT can be strengthened by improving information, availability, and affordability of products."
KENYA
Signvrse is making sign language as easy to access as spoken language. Using AI and motion capture, they break down communication barriers for 430 million deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals who struggle to access education, healthcare, jobs, and digital services. Their flagship solution, Terp360, delivers real-time 3D sign language translation, allowing users to understand and engage with content instantly whether in a classroom, at work, or online. They are building one of the largest sign language datasets, ensuring translations are accurate, culturally relevant, and always available. Businesses and institutions can integrate sign language accessibility effortlessly, creating a world where no one is left behind.
www.signvrse.com
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"Innovative AT solutions — affordable, locally produced, and high-tech — are emerging globally."
"Innovations in AT have the potential to benefit all populations"
USA | GERMANY
Microsoft is a global leader in software, IT security, hardware, and open-source development platforms. Accessibility is a core value at Microsoft, integrated into all products and services, including Copilot, to support people with disabilities. From Windows 11 to Microsoft 365, inclusive design and assistive technologies ensure everyone can participate fully in the digital world. Collaborating with politics, business, and science, Microsoft drives initiatives to ensure inclusive participation in the digital society’s progress.
Microsoft Germany GmbH, founded in 1983 as a subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation (Redmond, USA), employs over 3,000 people at seven locations in Germany. Alongside 30,000 partners, Microsoft supports companies with innovative cloud and AI solutions for digital transformation. As a global leader in software, IT security, hardware, and open-source development platforms, Microsoft connects 950 million people via LinkedIn and offers cross-platform gaming with Xbox and Game Pass. The company invests in AI infrastructure, cloud expansion, and workforce training.
www.microsoft.com
"Transforming new solutions into reality requires collaboration across entrepreneurs, manufacturers, governments, and civil society."
INDIA
Torchit is a pioneering social enterprise dedicated to empowering persons with disabilities through innovative and affordable assistive technology. With a strong legacy in AT development, their solutions, such as the Saarthi Smart Cane and Jyoti AI Smart Glass, have impacted over 400,000 lives in 40+ countries. They work closely with governments, NGOs, and corporate partners to ensure accessi- bility, affordability, and large-scale adoption of AT. Their focus extends beyond providing devices – they create inclusive opportunities through upskill- ing programs, employment initiatives, and AI-driven accessibility solutions, ensuring that assistive tech- nology becomes a bridge to independence and dignity for every individual.
www.mytorchit.com
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"Commitment, coordination, and collaboration are key to increasing global access to AT."
