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.

Search the AT2030 programme

AT2030 Impact - find out more

AT2030 explores and test innovative ways to address systematic challenges to get more AT to the people that need it. From creating deep community leadership to generating new evidence & insights, we answer critical research questions and develop foundational methodologies, addressing intersectional challenges and research and evidence gaps.

From incubating future tech inspired solutions to venture acceleration, we bring effective solutions to market by testing new mechanisms and ambitious scaling pathways. We embed disability innovation into national policy landscapes, stimulating demand, activating country pilots, strengthen systems and creating enabling markets environment in Low-and Middle- Income Countries.

We're reached 10 million people directly and over 54 million in total, working with over 150 partners in over 50 countries. 

Programme Clusters

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.

AT2030 Inclusive Infrastructure - six cities

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.

Find out more.

Latest

  • Second World Summit for Social Development: Investment in disability inclusion matters for poverty reduction and decent work

    UK Aid
    Nov. 5, 2025
    15:00-16:15
    Qatar

    This solution-focused side event at the Second World Summit for Social Development will explore how to promote the inclusion of persons with disabilities in decent work. It will present global evidence on inequalities in employment in low- and- middle- income- countries (LMICs) and learnings from programmes that seek to strengthen the livelihoods of persons with disabilities. It will highlight the experiences of people with disabilities from the Global South.

  • Empower Conference: Automatic Speech Recognition & Voice Cloning

    Global Disability Innovation Hub, Richard Cave
    Oct. 3, 2025
    India

    Change or loss of natural voice is likely for many people living with progressive neurological conditions such as MND/ALS, Parkinson’s Disease, MSA, PSP and many others. Also, for people living with the effects of head and neck cancer, trauma. And for many others, they may have never had natural voice to communicate with, for example some people with cerebral palsy. Is this situation, text to speech (or picture to speech) apps are sometimes used, using a synthesised voice that frequently sounds very different to how a person sounded or should be represented.

  • Disability Inclusive Futures [webinar]: Exploring OPD ecosystems and capacity in Kenya and Pakistan

    Global Disability Innovation Hub
    Sept. 30, 2025
    12pm
    Kenya, Pakistan

    As part of the Global Disability Innovation Hub’s UK International Development funded AT2030 programme, a regional initiative has been rolled out to deepen understanding of OPD needs and priorities in Kenya and Pakistan. In Kenya, this work was delivered in partnership with the  Kilimanjaro Blind Trust Africa (KBTA), and in Pakistan, by the Special Talent Exchange Program (STEP). The project included a needs assessment to understand the real-world challenges OPDs face, and capacity building to meet these identified needs.

  • NYC Climate Action week presentation

    Global Disability Innovation Hub
    Sept. 24, 2025

    Climate change is deepening existing inequalities in urban environments, particularly for people with disabilities. Despite 16% of global population is identified to have some form of disability, disability inclusion remains underrepresented in climate adaptation strategies, infrastructure planning, and service delivery in cities worldwide (World Bank, 2023).

  • Inclusive Climate Infrastructure Design Challenge

    Global Disability Innovation Hub
    Sept. 25, 2025
    Global
    AT2030 Resources

    We had an enlightening session today as part of the New York Climate Action Week, exploring Inclusive Climate Infrastructure Design Challenge

  • Inclucity 4: Climate resilience and innovation for inclusive cities

    Global Disability Innovation Hub
    July 23, 2025
    AT2030 Resources

    In this final webinar, we will be focusing on climate resilience and innovation for inclusive cities. This project focuses on the need and opportunities for disability inclusion within the climate adaptation, mitigation, resilience, and innovation narratives and actions. It situates inclusive cities within the larger just transition ambition.

  • Understanding the Impact of Assistive Technology on Users’ Lives in England: A Capability Approach

    Rebecca Joskow, Dilisha Patel, Anna Landre, Kate Mattick, Catherine Holloway, Jamie Danemayer, Vicki Austin
    July 9, 2025
    Academic Research Publications

    This study explores the real-life impact of assistive technology (AT) in England, drawing on findings from a 2023 Country Capacity Assessment conducted by GDI Hub and the UK Disability Unit using the WHO’s ATA toolkit. It revealed the personal significance of AT in shaping identity and confidence, while identifying systemic barriers that limit access and effectiveness. The findings emphassze the need for user-centered approaches in measuring and improving AT systems.

  • Reflective narrative of OPD's and capacity building in Pakistan

    Global Disability Innovation Hub, Special Talent Exchange Program (STEP)
    June 30, 2025
    Academic Research Publications

    This report explores the Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) ecosystem in Pakistan, focusing on how capacity building can drive systemic change, improve access to Assistive Technology (AT), and strengthen advocacy for the rights of People with Disabilities (PwDs). Part of the AT2030 programme, funded by UK International Development, the initiative draws on policy analysis, consultations with OPDs, and engagement with government, academia, and the private sector. It identifies key challenges, highlights opportunities, and offers practical recommendations to enhance OPD effectiveness and AT access.

  • AT2030 venture Hope Tech Unveils ‘The Sixth Sense’ Mobility Aid at Royal Academy of Engineering, Marking Major Milestone in Assistive Technology

    Harrison Kamau
    Sept. 22, 2025
    United Kingdom, Austria
    Case Studies and Reports

    Hope Tech Unveils ‘The Sixth Sense’ Mobility Aid at Royal Academy of Engineering, Marking Major Milestone in Assistive Technology

  • AT2030 Nepal Symposium

    Global Disability Innovation Hub
    Aug. 11, 2025
    Nepal

    This AT2030 Frontiers symposium is a collaboration between the Royal Academy of Engineering and GDI Hub's AT2030 Programme, and in partnership with Kathmandu University (KU). AT2030 is funded by UK International Development.

  • Inclusive ASR Innovation Sprint to Empower People with Non-Typical Speech in Kenya.

    Global Disability Innovation Hub
    Aug. 7, 2025
    Kenya
    Case Studies and Reports

    The second phase of the Centre for Digital and Language Inclusion (CDLI) initiative is now underway in Kenya, driving the development of inclusive Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) systems for people with non-typical or slurred speech, particularly in African languages. This marks the second innovation sprint in a pan-African effort to close the digital divide for individuals with speech impairments, building on a successful pilot in Ghana.

  • Two AT2030 supported ventures feature on the new Forbes Accessibility 100 list

    Global Disability Innovation Hub
    June 18, 2025
    Global

    We’re thrilled to announce that two organisations - Koalaa and the Assistive Technology for Disability Trust (AT4D) - supported by Global Disability Innovation Hub (GDI Hub) through the UK government funded AT2030 programme  have been recognised in the prestigious Forbes Accessibility 100 for 2025. This annual list celebrates global changemakers designing technologies that break barriers and unlock everyday opportunities for people with disabilities.

  • AT Innovation and Impact Podcast

    Maryam Bandukda, Harrison Kamau
    Dec. 3, 2024
    Kenya
    Case Studies and Reports

    This podcast is brought to you by the Global Disability Innovation Hub’s flagship AT2030 programme, funded by UKAid. In this series, we're embarking on a journey through the heart of Africa to explore a world where creativity and technology meet to challenge and change our understanding of disability. We will spotlight the incredible work of Innovate Now, Africa’s first assistive technology accelerator, and the pioneering spirits behind its success. We’ll uncover how the AT innovation ecosystem in Africa is not just evolving but also revolutionising the way assistive technologies are perceived, developed, and adopted. Innovate Now was co-founded 2019 by the Global Disability Innovation Hub and Bernard Chiira.

  • Innovation Podcast

    Global Disability Innovation Hub, University College London, Giulia Barbareschi, Government of Kenya, ALL Institute (Maynooth University), UK Aid, UCL, Rhys Williams, Dr Rhys Williams, Institute of Making
    Feb. 15, 2021
    Global
    News

    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.

  • Exploring OPD systems and capacity in Kenya and Pakistan webinar.

    Global Disability Innovation Hub
    Sept. 30, 2025
    Kenya, Pakistaan
    Case Studies and Reports

    In this webinar we heard from Organisations for Persons with Disabilities in Kenya and Pakistan who were part of the Global Disability Innovation Hub’s UK International Development funded #AT2030programme , a regional initiative has been rolled out to deepen understanding of Organisations of Persons with disabilities (OPD) needs and priorities in Kenya and Pakistan

  • GDI Hub’s Centre for Digital Language Inclusion (CDLI) co-creation sesison

    Harrison Kamau
    Sept. 25, 2025
    Kenya
    Case Studies and Reports

    GDI Hub’s Centre for Digital Language Inclusion (CDLI) is running an innovation sprint in Kenya, bringing together university teams, innovators, and mentors to co-create inclusive technologies using non-standard speech data. Building on learnings from the Ghana edition, this hackathon will culminate in a finale in November with top teams developing real-world MVPs, using ASRs trained on the voice samples that have been collected by the CDLI in collaboration with Senses Hub. With structured mentoring, stakeholder consultations, and user empowerment workshops, the initiative is designed to ensure that persons with speech impairments are not just represented but meaningfully involved in shaping solutions. The final prototypes aim to bridge accessibility gaps in communication and digital participation.

  • Inclusive ASR Innovation Sprint

    Global Disability Innovation Hub
    Aug. 28, 2025
    Kenya
    Case Studies and Reports

    At the recent innovation kickoff, selected participants began refining their proposals. Over the next five months, innovators, developers, researchers, and designers will work together to create solutions that improve communication for people with speech impairments in Kenya and beyond. Participants will receive mentorship and training and have opportunities to win cash prizes, earn certifications, and publish or deploy their work. Here is a video of what the mentors and mentees had to say.

  • Empowering OPDs to Lead Change. Christine's story

    Global Disability Innovation Hub
    June 5, 2025
    Kenya
    Case Studies and Reports

    Kilimanjaro Blind Trust Africa (KBTA), in partnership with the Global Disability Innovation (GDI) Hub as part of the AT2030 programme, funded by UK International Development, implemented a project to strengthen the capacity of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) to enhance their advocacy, organisational effectiveness, digital literacy, and skills in assistive technologies (AT). To support this initiative, Kilimanjaro Blind Trust Africa (KBTA), led by Global Disability Innovation Hub, carried out a comprehensive needs assessment in three counties —Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kisumu — to identify the challenges OPDs face in these regions. The needs assessment gathered actionable insights that informed the development of targeted capacity-building interventions for OPDs. Here is Christine Titus, chairperson Jasiri Women Self Help Group speaking during the needs assessment stage

  • IncluCITY Webinar Series

    Sophie Glickman
    Aug. 15, 2025

    By 2050, 70% of the world’s population will live in cities, amplifying challenges such as climate impacts, informal settlements, and barriers to essential services for people with disabilities. To address these issues, the Global Disability Innovation Hub (GDI Hub) launched the IncluCITY webinar series, convening experts and community leaders to share practical, real-world strategies for building inclusive urban environments, drawing on insights from its Delivering Inclusive Design in Cities: A Global Action Report.

  • New Study Aims to Transform Eye Care Accessibility in Kenya and Beyond.

    Harrison Kamau
    Aug. 8, 2025
    Kenya

    A new research study is underway to evaluate an innovative, low-cost eyeglass distribution model that could significantly expand access to vision care in underserved communities across Kenya and beyond. This study conducted in collaboration with Dot Glasses is part of the UK International Development-funded #AT2030Programme, delivered in partnership with Senses Hub. It aims to generate critical academic evidence to support the long-term scalability and sustainability of the Dot Glasses model.

  • Co-Creating Disability-Inclusive Climate Solutions

    Bala Nagendran, Aishwarya Soni
    July 30, 2025

    We at the Global Disability Innovation Hub (GDI Hub) hosted a full-day in-person roundtable event on Monday, 23 June 2025 at University College London, Marshgate Campus, during the London Climate Action Week. The event was planned as part of our research project titled “Disability-inclusive Solutions for the Climate Crisis: Leveraging Urban, Infrastructure, and Assistive Technology Research” in partnership with the Bartlett Development Planning Unit, funded by the UK International Development (AT2030 Programme) and UCL Grand Challenges.

  • IncluCITY 4: Climate resilience and innovation for inclusive cities

    Bala Nagendran
    July 22, 2025
    Global

    In this fourth webinar, we will be focusing on climate resilience and innovation for inclusive cities. This project focuses on the need and opportunities for disability inclusion within the climate adaptation, mitigation, resilience, and innovation narratives and actions. It situates inclusive cities within the larger just transition ambition