AT DIGEST Issue 2

Assistive technology (AT) has immense potential to improve independence, participation, and productivity, facilitate access to education, employment, and family life. However, the Global report on AT published by the World Health Organization revealed that one billion potential users are denied access to AT. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), only 3% percent of those who need such life-changing products have access to them.

The second issue of the AT Digest reflects on key barriers to assistive technology in LMICs. These reflections are from IDA’s Assistive Technology User Fellows from Africa (Uganda), Asia-Pacific (Bangladesh and Pakistan), Middle East and North Africa (Sudan) and Latin America (Peru), as well as from participants of assistive technology workshops from amongst Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) in Kenya and Rwanda held in November-December 2023.