Mapping Assistive Technology Start-Ups (book: Design for Equality and Justice)

Assistive technology (AT) is the application of organised knowledge and skills related to assistive products, systems and services designed to maintain or improve an individual’s functioning and independence, thereby promoting their well-being. However, development and distribution of assistive products, there is still a significant gap between design and awareness to access and use of assistive products.

This project sought to understand the met and unmet needs of AT through a country-capacity assessment through 5 focus group discussions with AT Users, policy stakeholders, AT developers, providers and those that work in AT distribution and support.

Overall, 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.