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

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Accessible and Assistive Technology Growth Fund

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.

Mobile as AT Day

GDI Hub. Image of the AT2030 Mobile as AT project in Kenya.

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

  • A scoping review of digital fabrication techniques applied to prosthetics and orthotics: Part 1 of 2-Prosthetics

    Dr Ben Oldfrey, Catherine Holloway, Margaret K Donovan-Hall
    Sept. 17, 2024
    Global
    Academic Research Publications

    This scoping review examines the application of digital fabrication techniques to prosthetics, aiming to address gaps in the literature that hinder the adoption of these technologies in clinical settings. Traditional prosthetic manufacturing is labor-intensive and time-consuming, but digital fabrication could streamline the process and improve global access. A comprehensive search across multiple databases yielded 3487 articles, with 247 studies on lower and upper limb prosthetics included in the review. The findings highlight significant limitations, including the need for larger, long-term studies, better understanding of training requirements, and variability in production workflows and materials, all of which impede consistent conclusions

  • Research Summary: Multi-country rapid Assistive Technology Assessment (rATA) 2019-2021: findings from a consultative review

    Global Disability Innovation Hub, World Health Organization
    July 25, 2024
    Global
    Research Summaries

    This research summary provides key highlights and snapshot content from the Multi-country rapid Assistive Technology Assessment (rATA) 2019-2021: findings from a consultative review.

  • Mapping Assistive Technology Start-ups

    Catherine Holloway, Tigmanshu Bhatnagar, Patel Dilisha
    July 16, 2024
    Global
    Academic Research Publications

    This paper explored their experiences of providing and accessing AT, including procurement strategies, adoption of new technologies, and provision pathways. Overall, we found that there is still a substantial knowledge gap in assistive products, how to access products, and funding for needed products. These discussions also enlightened us that word-of-mouth and peer networks are the main avenues through which knowledge of assistive products is shared. Difficulties in keeping up with the expanding innovative landscape was raised as a key concern.

  • Exploring Information Needs for Tracking to Support Using Wheelchairs in Everyday Life

    Catherine Holloway, Aneesha Singh, Wen Mo
    July 9, 2024
    Global
    Academic Research Publications

    This study contributes by delineating the unmet information needs in wheelchair tracking and advocating for more research interests to develop and design tracking tools in Human-Computer Interactions (HCI) that enrich the everyday experiences of wheelchair users.

  • Paralympics and Inclusive Sport

    Maryam Bandukda
    Sept. 17, 2024
    Global
    Impact Stories

    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?

  • Changing perspective of Deaf and disabled people in sport and art: London 2012 – Choreographer Mark Smith reflects on his experience of the powerful legacy of a Paralympic Opening Ceremony

    Global Disability Innovation Hub
    Sept. 3, 2024

    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.

  • Spotlight on Sierra Leone – Meet Santos

    Koalaa
    March 31, 2024
    Sierra Leone

    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.

  • The Story of Khadijatu Bangura

    Koalaa
    March 31, 2024
    Sierra Leone

    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.

  • Join Attvaran's AT Pitch Day at Empower Conference 2024

    Tigmanshu Bhatnagar
    Sept. 30, 2024
    India

    GDI Hub and NCPEDP will cohost a Demo Day for Assistive Technology Startups at EMPOWER 2024 in Thiruvananthapuram - designed to accelerate the growth of AT solutions, focusing on improving accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities. We are seeking ventures to apply to join this pitch opportunity, with two parallel pitching sessions —one for grant funding and another for angel and venture capital investment.

  • Seeking an experienced General Partner (investment fund manager) to build on our success supporting companies ready to scale that are already changing the way people live, learn, and work.

    Global Disability Innovation Hub
    Sept. 10, 2024
    Global

    The Accessible & Assistive Technology Growth Fund (AT Growth Fund) is a catalytic impact fund that will harness technology to improve the lives of millions of people in low- and middle-income countries. Our goal is to drive innovation, accessibility, and inclusivity through private sector investments in life changing accessible and assistive technologies. We are seeking an experienced General Partner (investment fund manager) to build on our success supporting companies ready to scale that are already changing the way people live, learn, and work.

  • Disability, innovation and the power of Paralympic legacy – a reception to remember at the British ambassador's residence to mark the start of the 2024 Paris Paralympics

    Louise Gebbett
    Sept. 2, 2024
    France

    As the first day of sport kicked off in Paris, and crowds around the city streamed into venues to cheer Paralympians in action, the Global Disability Innovation Hub (GDI Hub) and Dame Menna Rawlings - British Ambassador to France – were delighted to welcome esteemed guests to the 'Beyond Sport' panel and reception to explore disability, innovation and the power of Paralympic legacy.

  • Beyond this land - attracting new audiences to Para sport

    Loughborough University
    Aug. 28, 2024
    Global

    Africa remains one of the least engaged regions when it comes to disability sports and the adoption of assistive technology. Feedback from Phase One of the AT2030 Para Sport Against Stigma project highlighted a recurring misconception that disability sports are primarily a concept of the Global North, with little relevance in Africa. To challenge this narrative, and to leverage the global attention on disability sports in the lead-up to the Paris Games, we launched the #BeyondThisLand campaign - a digital initiative aimed at attracting a new and diverse audience to disability sports while increasing viewership among existing enthusiasts in Africa.

  • Inclusive Cities

    Global Disability Innovation Hub
    Sept. 20, 2024

    Coming soon

  • Innovative Assistive Technology as lower cost way to bridge gaps while Inclusive infrastructure is developed: Just for the games or part of a long-term plan? - by Annamae Muldowney - GDI Hub's Inclusive Design Assistant

    Annamae Muldowney
    Sept. 20, 2024
    France

    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.

  • What you water grows: how Brazil thrived at the Paralympics - by Noah Bernstein - COO at GDI Hub

    Noah Bernstein
    Sept. 18, 2024
    France

    At the Paris 2024 Paralympics, Brazil excelled. But how did they become one of the best performing countries in the world at para sport? Brazil’s success shows change is possible. It also highlights that change won’t happen by itself. Brazil’s story of success contrasts sharply with rich countries like Japan and Australia that typically fare well at the Olympics but lag at the Paralympics due to reported underinvestment and much smaller proportional delegations. We can only hope other governments and decision-makers take note on how to create lasting, sustainable change that brings much more than medals.

  • Customising Dignity Kits and Menstrual Health Management Kits with women and girls with disabilities in Bangladesh with UNFPA

    Dilisha Patel
    Sept. 13, 2024
    Bangladesh

    As part of the AT2030 gender workstream, we have collaborated with UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund Asia-Pacific Regional Office (APRO), on a match-funded project which aims to capture the lived experiences of women and girls with disabilities and identify their specific needs during crises and humanitarian situations. In March 2024, we held consultation workshops with the UNFPA-Bangladesh Country Office to consult with partners and stakeholders to discuss how the content of existing Dignity Kits (DKs) and Menstrual Health Management Kits (MHM Kits), often distributed during humanitarian crises, meet the needs of women and girls with disabilities

  • 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.

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