Innovation | AT2030 Programme

Supporting new products and service delivery models to scale

Improve the use of emerging technology for accessibility
Spark Assistive Technology (AT) innovation
Scale-up proven AT and associated service delivery models
Establish an Innovation Ecosystem in Kenya: Innovate Now.
AT Impact Fund
Support start-ups to scale solutions to new service delivery approaches and disruptive technologies
Ecosystem acceleration programme
Live Labs and an AT Makeathon

Sub-Programmes

Spark Innovation: Delivering AT innovations in East Africa through inclusive innovation ecosystems, AT accelerator, service delivery and wheelchair provision. Horizon scanning to scope the disability mobile gap and programmes to address stigma. 3D printing for humanitarian response and an AT Makeathon.
Innovation Hub India: Led by the WHO, UCL and the Indian Council for Medical Research we are exploring a new partnership to deliver an Innovation Hub in India with regional reach.
AT Impact Fund: The AT Impact Fund was established to better enable frontier technology solutions to reach people with disabilities in Africa, and to test business models that are most likely to succeed.

Latest

Global Disability Innovation Hub becomes the worlds first WHO Collaborating Centre on Assistive Technology

Global Disability Innovation Hub, Global Cooperation on Assistive Technology

March 15, 2021

News

The Global Disability Innovation Hub (GDI Hub), based at UCL, is the first organisation to be awarded the status of World Health Organisation (WHO) Official Collaborating Centre on Assistive Technology (AT). Led by GDI Hub’s Academic Director, Professor Cathy Holloway, the WHO Collaborating Centre will focus on driving global disability innovation to work towards a fairer world through access to assistive and accessible technology.
Digital Fabrication of Lower Limb Prosthetic Sockets

Dr Ben Oldfrey, Mark Miodownik, Dr Giulia Barbareschi, Dr Rhys Williams, Catherine Holloway, Global Disability Innovation Hub, UCL, Institute of Making

Dec. 16, 2020

PDF

This innovation insight discusses current approaches to digital fabrication of lower limb prosthetics (LLP) sockets aimed at low resourced settings. Digital fabrication of LLPs sockets has been researched for a number of decades, yet these technologies are not widely adopted, and most of the activities within this domain reside in high-income settings. However, the majority of amputees are in LMICs where there is a severe lack of access to services. It is in LMICs then, that the advantages that digital technologies offer could be of particular benefit however little to no progress in digital workflow adoption has been made to date
An AT Innovator case study: Amparo

Global Disability Innovation Hub, Catherine Holloway, Dr Ben Oldfrey, Dr Rhys Williams

Dec. 3, 2020

PDF

In this innovation insight paper, we interviewed Lucas Paes de Melo, the CEO of Amparo, to discuss the journey so far of prosthetics company, Amparo. Rather than focus on the product, this insights paper provides an honest reflection of the journey to establishing an assistive technology company and delves into transferable insights. In doing so, we aim to provide insights to help current and future AT entrepreneurs to see behind the curtain of working in this space.
Assistive Tech Impact Fund: £4m fund trialling impact investment

Global Disability Innovation Hub, Brink, Catalyst Fund, Tamara Giltsoff

Dec. 3, 2020

Global

On the International Day of People with Disabilities, the new Assistive Tech Impact Fund (ATIF) has been launched out of the UK Aid-funded AT2030 programme, led by the Global Disability Innovation (GDI) Hub. It is a collaboration between GDI Hub, Brink, Tamara Giltsoff and Catalyst Fund. The partnership combines deep expertise in AT, innovation and venture building in Africa, respectively.
Powering Inclusion: Artificial Intelligence and Assistive Technology

Felipe Ramos Barajas

Nov. 14, 2020

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that by 2050 two billion people will need AT, yet 90% will not have access. This is why the AT2030 programme is engaged in testing research, innovation, policy, and building community solutions to see what works in addressing that enormous challenge.