It is estimated that by 2050 over 3.5 billion people would benefit from Assistive Technology, yet 90% will not have access.
AT2030 is changing that.
GDI Hub
It is estimated that by 2050 over 3.5 billion people would benefit from Assistive Technology, yet 90% will not have access.
AT2030 is changing that.
AT2030 tests ‘what works’ to improve access to life-changing Assistive Technology (AT) for all. Led by Global Disability Innovation Hub and funded by UK aid, we've reached 34 million people in 61 countries, driving a lifetime of potential. In 2023 UK aid announced a further £31 million investment to the AT2030 programme.
The worlds most ambitious scaling pathway for high-potential growth-ready accessible & assistive technology ventures. Transcending a new frontier for venture capital and commercial lending in AT, we’re power mass market adoption of Accessible Technology through public and private capital.
It's time to think big. Find out more.
GDI Hub. Image of the AT2030 Mobile as AT project in Kenya.
The current programme (AT2030 version 3) is divided into five Programme Clusters and 13 sub-programmes to test ‘what works’ for AT. For more about AT2030 version 1 and 2 and our delivery between 2018 and 2024 - visit the about section.
We've researched inclusive city design in 6 global cities to understand the current challenges, the opportunities, what's working well and what isn’t. To get AT to people who need it, the built environment must be inclusive, easy to use and navigate. Hear from the cities involved, and the next steps.
Global Disability Innovation Hub is excited to lead two sessions at World Urban Forum 12 on Inclusive Cities and Climate-Resilient Infrastructure.
This UN Summit of the Future side-event in New York aims to explore how multi-stakeholder partnerships in Education and Assistive Technology can transform education and employment opportunities for children and young people with disabilities. Through positive story telling and showcasing innovative solutions, we seek to demonstrate the power of working together in partnership to realize the promise of the SDGs and leave no one behind.
Stigma and discrimination are among the most pressing challenges preventing access to Assistive Technologies (AT) for persons with disabilities in African contexts, where as little as 3% have the AT they need. This webinar will highlight learnings from the past four years frome the Para Sport Against Stigma programme, a collaboration between Loughborough University, the University of Malawi, and the International Paralympic Committee.
Organized by UNICEF, ATscale, International Disability Alliance, and the Global Disability Innovation Hub, and co-sponsored by Australia, the United States, and Rwanda, this COSP17 side event promises to be an illuminating exploration of the power of partnership to achieve universal access to assistive technology.
This study explores the tracking needs of wheelchair users, surveying 53 participants to understand their data preferences. Findings reveal strong interest in tracking wheelchair maintenance, accessibility, and physiological data like heart rate and pain. Users also seek to monitor social interactions and wheelchair skill development for both physical and mental well-being. Challenges include limited tracking tools, data accuracy issues, and concerns about privacy. The study calls for affordable, accurate tracking systems integrating mobility, health, and environmental data to enhance user experience and support policy reform.
This paper explores innovation in Assistive Products (APs), such as wheelchairs, prosthetics, eyeglasses, and hearing aids, emphasising how market dynamics and healthcare systems influence their development. It highlights the importance of *Open Innovation* and *Disruptive Innovation* in overcoming challenges like long lead times, resistance to change, and data gaps, particularly in low-income settings. The paper advocates for enhanced collaboration among stakeholders and recommends leveraging open innovation strategies to accelerate commercialisation and strengthen AP provision.
Assistive technology (AT) plays a crucial role in enhancing the independence and well-being of individuals with disabilities, but there is a significant gap in awareness and access to these products. Through focus group discussions, we identified that word-of-mouth and peer networks are primary sources of information about AT, and challenges persist in accessing products and funding. To address this, we developed an interactive map showcasing over 400 global AT start-ups, designed to increase visibility, foster collaboration, and connect users, developers, and investors, ultimately bridging the gap in the AT ecosystem.
Access to assistive products (APs) is crucial for the independence of people with disabilities, yet availability is limited, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This study compares the development of national AP lists in Malawi, Liberia, and Sierra Leone using the WHO’s 5P model—people, policy, personnel, products, and provision—each country tailoring the model to local needs. Findings emphasize that inclusive policies, trained personnel, and reliable data are essential for improving AP access, providing insights to guide future AP policies and infrastructure in LMICs.
The University of Ghana, Google Research Africa, and UCL’s Global Disability Innovation Hub (GDI Hub) are collaborating on "tɛkyerɛma pa" ("Good Tongue"), an AI-based initiative aimed at improving communication for individuals with non-standard speech patterns. This project focuses on improving AI-powered speech recognition technology for five major Ghanaian languages, marking a significant step in making communication more inclusive for all.
BBC news article features innovation supported by AT2030 programme to provide easy-fit prosthetics to thousands of Gaza amputees. Koalaa - who were part of the AT2030 Assistive Tech Impact Fund, provide soft affordable prosthetics, focused on comfort and functionality.
Join us at the Accessibility 2030 Pavilion at WUF 2024 in Cairo, and be part of this historic moment as we work together to shape the future of accessible urban design!
The Financial Times piece explores how our AT2030 programme has tested the google relate app to understand how the app is currently used, how can be used and how can be improved - working alongside and training local speech and language therapists in Ghana.
A podcast featuring interviews and stories from the brains behind the disruptive and cutting-edge innovations that are aiming to impact the lives of millions of people living in different areas of the world.
More than 4,000 disabled athletes competed in Paris. Each of these athletes have a story of passion, of resilience, and overcoming barriers. We would love to hear stories from disabled people who are passionate about sports. Do you have a story to share?
London 2012 – Choreographer Mark Smith reflects on his experience of the legacy of a Paralympic Opening Ceremony Changing perspective of Deaf and disabled people in sport and art look at what made the opening ceremony of the Paralympics London 2012 so special , and how it changed people's perspective of Deaf and disabled people especially in sport and art.
There is a significant need for prosthetics, coupled with a lack of access and also a strong stigma around having limb differences. Below is a video of Santos.
Globally, there remains a significant need for affordable and comfortable prosthetics that can aid independence, inclusivity and health equity. This is particularly true in areas that have experienced conflict, and within lower/middle income countries. Working with governments, charities and other key partners on the ground to provide access to our prosthetics, in areas of the world that need them the most, is the focus of our dedicated Global Access Team. We have been lucky enough to secure a grant as part of the Assistive Technology Impact Fund (ATIF), under the banner of AT2030, which aims to increase access to assistive technology of all kinds, all over the world.
From the discussions around this year’s becoming the ‘greenest ever games’ to the extreme heat dome hitting Western Europe, Paris 2024 made headlines for many things ‘climate.’ This blog extends this climate narrative and highlights the power of sports to consolidate voices and accelerate inclusive climate action, as we anticipate higher ambitions and bolder commitments from the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 29).
From my perspective, the most spectacular part of the event was the first ever #Accessibility2030 pavilion—a space in the Urban Expo owned by the disability stakeholders to showcase the gaps, best practices and importance of disability inclusion in cities.
The Inclusive Infrastructure sub-programme, led by GDI Hub, recognises that the built environment, the world where we live, dictates our ability to use the AT we need. Access to the built environment is a fundamental human right, protected by the UN CRPD. However, the world we have designed and built presents a multitude of barriers and challenges for many, including persons with disabilities.
During the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, accessibility at sporting venues improved, but navigating the city remained challenging for people with disabilities due to an outdated metro system, with only 29 out of 300 stations wheelchair-accessible. Temporary measures, such as minibuses and a journey-planning app, helped visitors but highlighted the need for long-term infrastructure upgrades, which could take decades and significant investment. Overall, the Games highlighted both the challenges and opportunities in improving urban accessibility for people with disabilities.
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