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  • 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.

  • Powering AT solutions - Attvaran India accelerator is launched

    Harrison Kamau, Louise Gebbett, Tigmanshu Bhatnagar
    July 18, 2024
    India

    Attvaran seeks to accelerate startup growth, supporting early-stage inclusive, disability and technology startups in improving their product-market fit. Through intense mentorship, ecosystem access, education and networking, this Delhi based accelerator will provide a pipeline for emerging regional technologies - and bring together key players in the assistive technology ecosystem.

  • Image of 3D printers in a lab. Cover Image

    AT2030 launches innovative startup accelerator dedicated to early-stage assistive technology ventures in Asia

    Global Disability Innovation Hub
    March 27, 2024
    India

    The intense three-month program beginning July 2024 will include expert talks, time-bound exercises, bespoke mentorship and building a network to a prolific ecosystem of entrepreneurs, disability and tech experts, assistive technology users, customers and investors. The program aims to boost early-stage entrepreneurs in transforming solutions into compelling businesses.

  • image of the back of someones head, wearing hearing aid Cover Image

    How AT2030 has facilitated a 94% price reduction to power access to life-changing hearing aids

    Global Disability Innovation Hub, UNICEF
    March 4, 2024
    Rwanda
    Publisher Link

    In 2021 as part of the UK aid funded AT2030 programme, the Global Disability Innovation Hub and UNICEF were able to add hearing aids to the UNICEF Supply Catalogue for the first time. The catalogue enables governments around the world to access competitively priced and procured products - offering low-cost high-quality solutions for the first time. In Rwanda alone, a 94% reduction has been achieved.

  • Elly Savatia getting an award by the Kenyan president Cover Image

    Signvrse Wins Prestigious Innovation Award and National Business Competition

    Harrison Kamau
    Dec. 21, 2023
    Kenya

    In a groundbreaking recognition of innovation and inclusivity, Signvrse, previously known as Veezaviz, achieved remarkable success at the Kenya Innovation Week (KIW) 2023, Commonwealth Edition. Co-founder Elly Savatia was honored with the esteemed Commonwealth Secretary-General’s Innovation for Sustainable Development Awards, spotlighting the exceptional strides made by this tech pioneer.

  • Text graphic of title: Social Finance and Investing For Good become the first delivery partners for AT2030's Accessible and Assistive Technology Growth Fund Cover Image

    Social Finance and Investing For Good become the first delivery partners for AT2030's Accessible and Assistive Technology Growth Fund

    Global Disability Innovation Hub
    Dec. 13, 2023
    Global

    We are delighted to announce that GDI Hub will be partnering with Social Finance and Investing For Good for the next phase of the AT Growth Fund as we look to transcend a new frontier for venture capital and commercial lending in disability innovation. The AT Growth Fund will look to unlock long-term market opportunities in the undercapitalized yet immensely valuable Assistive Technology (AT) sector.

  • Text graphic: Inclusive Infrastructure, Disability and Climate Change: what's needed to leave no one behind? with logos, COP28 and images of flooded urban areas causing issues with movement around the cities Cover Image

    Inclusive Infrastructure, Disability and Climate Change: what's needed to leave no one behind

    Global Disability Innovation Hub
    Nov. 30, 2023
    UAE

    Join us at COP28 as we bring together stakeholders working across inclusive infrastructure, disability-inclusive urban development, and climate change action to discuss partnerships and practical actions to ensure persons with disabilities are not left behind. As cities integrate climate adaptation and mitigation infrastructure, accessibility and inclusion must be embedded. There is no resilient and sustainable future without inclusion.

  • Text graphic: IDA survey with logos and diverse image of people Cover Image

    Online survey to collect insights on critical aspects of assistive technology device use and access

    International Disability Alliance
    Nov. 22, 2023
    Global
    Publisher Link

    This International Disability Alliance (IDA) project looks to positioning OPDs as equal partners on AT. The project intends to strengthen the role of persons with disabilities and their representative organizations, in advancing the use of and access to AT devices. Central to the project is, collecting knowledge and research from persons with disabilities.

  • An Image of the TAI team meeting with King Charles Cover Image

    His Majesty the King concludes visit to Kenya with encouragement for Assistive Technology innovators, and meets ventures from our Innovate Now accelerator

    Harrison Kamau
    Nov. 10, 2023
    Kenya

    His Majesty King Charles III recently concluded his visit to Kenya, where he met ventures from the Global Disability Innovation Hub’s Innovate Now Accelerator, Africa's first Assistive Technology Accelerator. The King's visit served as a significant boost for the Kenyan assistive technology sector, highlighting the country's leadership in developing affordable solutions for people with disabilities.

  • Text graphic - AT Growth Fund, request for proposals Cover Image

    Request for Proposals: Accessible and Assistive Technology Growth Fund

    Global Disability Innovation Hub
    Oct. 19, 2023
    United Kingdom

    AT Growth Fund will be an impact-first blended finance vehicle, combining leading-edge domain expertise with a global network of partners across research, innovation, international development, big tech, and public and private sectors​. Global Disability Innovation Hub (GDI Hub) are seeking proven partners in impact-driven investing to develop the strategy, underpin the business model, and to mobilize and manage the fund.

  • Image of UN building from the outside, with flags in foreground and blue sky. Cover Image

    UK aid announces £31 million to improve access to life-changing Assistive Technology for all, backing increased ground-breaking innovation and research by the AT2030 programme, led by Global Disability Innovation Hub, at UCL.

    Global Disability Innovation Hub
    June 14, 2023
    Global

    The UN annual Disability conference at the United Nations in New York, Rt Hon Tom Pursglove MP, Minister of State for Disabled People, Health and Work in the UK, announced that UK Aid would invest a further £31 million into the AT2030 programme, led by GDI Hub, to reach 9 million more people directly and 12 million more people indirectly with life-changing accessible technology.

  • Man in Sierra Leone, holding and drinking from a water bottle using a soft fit prosthetic lower arm. He is sitting outside and wearing a blue t-shirt Cover Image

    GDI Hub at Conference of State Parties (COSP) - exploring ‘What Works’ to improve access to life-changing Assistive Tech (AT) for all

    Global Disability Innovation Hub
    June 4, 2023
    United Kingdom
    PDF

    Five years ago we began to test something new. Bringing together key stakeholders and experts working across the AT arena, with the aim of enabling researchers, innovators and AT users to experiment with new ideas. Join Global Disability Innovation Hub, His Majesty's Government United Kingdom (UK), The World Health Organization and in partnership with UNICEF, ATscale and The International Disability Alliance for a unique insight into testing and backing new approaches.

  • WHO text graphic: Registration is open TAP launch webinar 10 November 2022 TAP MOOC 10-24 November Cover Image

    Launch of WHO Training in Assistive Products

    World Health Organization
    Oct. 16, 2022
    Global

    Training in Assistive Products (TAP) is a new open access online training resource to prepare primary health and other personnel to fulfil an assistive technology role. This new global resource has been driven by support from UK aid through GDI Hub's AT2030 programme.

  • Image of the global report being showcased at the UK launch event in parliment - the report is photographed placed on a chair. Cover Image

    Global Report on Assistive Technology is launched - setting the roadmap for improving access to assistive technology for everyone

    UNICEF, World Health Organization
    May 17, 2022
    Global

    There is a large, unmet need for assistive technology worldwide. The WHO-UNICEF Global Report on Assistive Technology will play an instrumental role in setting the global roadmap for improving access to assistive technology for everyone, everywhere.

  • Photograph of a rural area in a low resource setting Cover Image

    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
    Global
    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.

All News Articles

  • LAunch photo Medellin Cover Image

    Inclusive Infrastructure Case Study Launched in Medellín, Colombia - Exploring Inclusive Environments

    Global Disability Innovation Hub
    Aug. 10, 2023
    Colombia
    Publisher Link

    Medellín, Colombia is the sixth and final case study city under the Global Disability Innovation Hub (GDI Hub) led and UK Aid funded AT2030 Inclusive Infrastructure sub-programme. Colombia’s second largest city, Medellín is well-known for its progress in urban development in the last 20 years, moving forward from its violent history. Medellín has been designated a district of innovation and is known for innovative urban projects such as its cable cars and electric escalators that connect higher altitude, low-income communities on the peripheries of the city. This case study explores the current state of accessibility and inclusion in the city for persons with disabilities and helps understand whether such urban innovations are inclusive for all the city’s residents.

  • Coloured photograph of Medellin taken from above Cover Image

    Launch event Inclusive Design Medellín

    Global Disability Innovation Hub
    July 14, 2023
    Colombia

    An online event to share the findings and recommendations for infrastructure, built environment and urban development in Medellín, Colombia.

  • Image of the city of Medellin - the skyline Cover Image

    Medellín announced as the sixth AT2030 Inclusive Infrastructure Case Study

    Global Disability Innovation Hub
    Nov. 15, 2022
    Colombia

    The Global Disability Innovation Hub is delighted to announce that under the UK Aid-funded AT2030 programme, the sixth and final case study of the Inclusive Infrastructure sub-programme will take place in the city of Medellín, Colombia. The case study will start in January 2023 with the aim of launching the report in early summer.

  • Para Sport Against Stigma: Commonwealth Games athletes and coaches from Ghana and Zambia visit Loughborough University

    Loughborough University
    Aug. 31, 2022
    Ghana, Zambia
    Publisher Link

    Para Sport Against Stigma is a four-year project hat looks at how representation, education and communication in Para sport can challenge stigma associated with disability in Sub-Sarhan Africa. One part of PSAS focuses on Athlete Development and will see the International Paralympic Committee to deliver a programme to support National Paralympic Committees in Malawi, Ghana and Zambia to develop Para sport. As part of the Athlete Development focus, Para-Powerlifters who represented Ghana and Zambia at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022, along with their coaches, took the opportunity to visit and work with researchers and practitioners from Loughborough University and the International Paralympic Association.

  • A child is wearing the MiracleFeet brace. The brace is attached to his shoes and keeps his feet in a turned out position. The child is being held by his mother and smiling at a clinician, grabbing his hand Cover Image

    MiracleFeet: The human impact of foot braces in Nigeria and Liberia

    Miracle Feet
    Dec. 2, 2021
    Nigeria, Liberia
    PDF

    The Assistive Technology Impact Fund (ATIF), part of the AT2030 programme, has committed investment to support the company MiracleFeet, who provide clubfoot treatment to children in LMICs. To better understand and evidence the impact of MiracleFeet's work for children living with clubfoot, ATIF commissioned 60 Decibels to conduct research using specifically designed tools that could measure the impact of assistive technology. The results are shared in this insightful report, including findings from 200 parents and guardians of Nigerian and Liberian children who have undergone treatment using the MiracleFeet brace.

  • Front cover of publication: Liberia National Priority Assistive Products List (APL) Cover Image

    Liberia: Country Investment Fund and the production of National Priority Assistive Products List and National Roadmap to Increase Access to AT

    Clinton Health Access Initiative
    Dec. 31, 2021
    Liberia
    PDF

    Under the AT2030 programme and with the support of ATscale and the Country Investment Fund (CIF), the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) was the lead technical partner to the Liberia Ministry of Health in the development and validation of two major national documents for access to assistive technologies: National Roadmap to Increase Access to Assistive Technologies (2021-2023) and Liberia National Priority Assistive Products List (APL), First Edition. The development of these documents will pave the way in ensuring Assistive Technology can be accessed by disabled and older people living in Liberia.

  • Monica Munga, Para athlete for Zambia Cover Image

    Press release: IPC–led partnership secures a record breaking 49 territories for free-to-air African broadcast coverage of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games

    Global Disability Innovation Hub, Loughborough University
    Aug. 19, 2021
    Malawi, Global

    The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has confirmed that it will provide free-to-air coverage of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games to 49 Sub-Saharan African territories as part of the AT2030 programme’s Para Sport Against Stigma project, which is funded by UK Aid.  This is an effort to elevate Para sport and ensure human rights for people with disabilities around the world.  Globally, there are 1.2 billion people with disabilities who are often unable to reach their full potential. Central to this is disability stigma, which limits full participation in society from employment and education to sport.

  • Monica Munga, a Para athlete from Zambia running on a blue track Cover Image

    Record 49 territories for free-to-air African broadcast coverage of Paralympic Games

    The International Paralympic Committee (IPC)
    Aug. 17, 2021
    Malawi, Global
    Publisher Link

    The International Committee for Paralympics (IPC) has confirmed that 49 Sub-Saharan African territories will be provided free-to-air coverage of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games as part of the AT2030 programme's ParaSport Against Stigma Project. For the first time, African viewers will watch the opening and closing ceremonies broadcast live on 24 August and 5 September 2021.  Daily 52-minute highlights packages of African centred content featuring the continent’s biggest Paralympic heroes and rising stars, will be provided in English, French and Portuguese. It is estimated that the broadcasts will reach over 250 million viewers in Africa.

  • A child is wearing the MiracleFeet brace. The brace is attached to his shoes and keeps his feet in a turned out position. The child is being held by his mother and smiling at a clinician, grabbing his hand Cover Image

    MiracleFeet: The human impact of foot braces in Nigeria and Liberia

    Miracle Feet
    Dec. 2, 2021
    Nigeria, Liberia
    PDF

    The Assistive Technology Impact Fund (ATIF), part of the AT2030 programme, has committed investment to support the company MiracleFeet, who provide clubfoot treatment to children in LMICs. To better understand and evidence the impact of MiracleFeet's work for children living with clubfoot, ATIF commissioned 60 Decibels to conduct research using specifically designed tools that could measure the impact of assistive technology. The results are shared in this insightful report, including findings from 200 parents and guardians of Nigerian and Liberian children who have undergone treatment using the MiracleFeet brace.

  • image of the back of someones head, wearing hearing aid Cover Image

    How AT2030 has facilitated a 94% price reduction to power access to life-changing hearing aids

    Global Disability Innovation Hub, UNICEF
    March 4, 2024
    Rwanda
    Publisher Link

    In 2021 as part of the UK aid funded AT2030 programme, the Global Disability Innovation Hub and UNICEF were able to add hearing aids to the UNICEF Supply Catalogue for the first time. The catalogue enables governments around the world to access competitively priced and procured products - offering low-cost high-quality solutions for the first time. In Rwanda alone, a 94% reduction has been achieved.

  • A group photo members present during the launch of the AT guidelines and policies Cover Image

    AT Standards and Procurement Guidelines Launch Freetown, 12 April 2023

    Global Disability Innovation Hub, Harrison Kamau
    May 4, 2023
    Sierra Leone

    Persons with disabilities face multiple challenges. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 1.3 billion people worldwide experience significant disabilities, representing 16% of the world's population or 1 in 6 individuals. Additionally, persons with disabilities are at a higher risk of developing various health conditions and may experience premature mortality.  To address these challenges in Sierra Leone, the Ministry of Health & Sanitation, with support from Clinton Health Foundation (CHAI) and other technical partners, conducted a landscape assessment of assistive technology (AT) services in Sierra Leone in 2019. The assessment revealed critical gaps in the Assistive Technology (AT) landscape, including the absence of a policy and strategy for AT, which posed challenges for planning and implementing evidence-based AT activities in the country.

  • Report front cover Cover Image

    Press Release: Inclusive Design and Accessibility of the Built Environment in Freetown

    Global Disability Innovation Hub, SLURC
    April 12, 2023
    Sierra Leone

    Global Disability Innovation Hub (GDI Hub) and Sierra Leone Urban Research Centre (SLURC) are delighted to invite you to the launch of this new case study considering Inclusive Design and Accessibility of the Built Environment in Freetown as part of the UK aid funded AT2030 sub-programme, ‘Inclusive Infrastructure’ - exploring the role of inclusive environments to enable equal access to Assistive Technology (AT).

  • Image of Freetown in Sierra Leone, photo overlooking a section of the city, showing a fairly high concentration of buildings, and a busy roads with traffic and people walking. Cover Image

    Launch Event: Inclusive Design and Accessibility of the Built Environment in Freetown, Sierra Leone

    Louise Gebbett
    April 11, 2023
    Sierra Leone

    A launch event of Freetown's Inclusive Design and Accessibility of the Built Environment Case Study. This event will share findings and recommendations for infrastructure, built environment and urban development - with the aim of driving global action to more accessible and inclusive cities.

  • A group of people holding certificates and smiling Cover Image

    International Day of Persons with Disabilities in Sierra Leone

    Dr. Abdulaya Dumbuya
    Dec. 13, 2021
    Sierra Leone

    One of our brilliant partners in Sierra Leone, Dr Abs Dumbuya, who works with us on the AT2030 project, recently wrote a letter on the celebrations in the country on International Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3rd December and the progress the country has made.

  • Text graphic: Inclusive Infrastructure, Disability and Climate Change: what's needed to leave no one behind? with logos, COP28 and images of flooded urban areas causing issues with movement around the cities Cover Image

    Inclusive Infrastructure, Disability and Climate Change: what's needed to leave no one behind

    Global Disability Innovation Hub
    Nov. 30, 2023
    UAE

    Join us at COP28 as we bring together stakeholders working across inclusive infrastructure, disability-inclusive urban development, and climate change action to discuss partnerships and practical actions to ensure persons with disabilities are not left behind. As cities integrate climate adaptation and mitigation infrastructure, accessibility and inclusion must be embedded. There is no resilient and sustainable future without inclusion.

  • Text graphic - AT Growth Fund, request for proposals Cover Image

    Request for Proposals: Accessible and Assistive Technology Growth Fund

    Global Disability Innovation Hub
    Oct. 19, 2023
    United Kingdom

    AT Growth Fund will be an impact-first blended finance vehicle, combining leading-edge domain expertise with a global network of partners across research, innovation, international development, big tech, and public and private sectors​. Global Disability Innovation Hub (GDI Hub) are seeking proven partners in impact-driven investing to develop the strategy, underpin the business model, and to mobilize and manage the fund.

  • A group photo during the engineering talents awards Cover Image

    Celebrating Excellence: Winners Announced at the 2023 Engineering Talent Awards!

    UCL
    Sept. 13, 2023
    United Kingdom
    Publisher Link

    The UCL Global Disability Innovation (GDI) Hub won Innovation of the Year for the development of a new, refreshable tactile technology Tacilia. The team aimed to allow children who are blind or have partial sight to be better able to engage with Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths (STEAM) education.

  • Man in Sierra Leone, holding and drinking from a water bottle using a soft fit prosthetic lower arm. He is sitting outside and wearing a blue t-shirt Cover Image

    GDI Hub at Conference of State Parties (COSP) - exploring ‘What Works’ to improve access to life-changing Assistive Tech (AT) for all

    Global Disability Innovation Hub
    June 4, 2023
    United Kingdom
    PDF

    Five years ago we began to test something new. Bringing together key stakeholders and experts working across the AT arena, with the aim of enabling researchers, innovators and AT users to experiment with new ideas. Join Global Disability Innovation Hub, His Majesty's Government United Kingdom (UK), The World Health Organization and in partnership with UNICEF, ATscale and The International Disability Alliance for a unique insight into testing and backing new approaches.

  • Assistive Technology Data & Insights Portal - a vision for a highly accessible tool to serve the global Assistive Technology ecosystem

    Global Disability Innovation Hub
    Jan. 26, 2023
    United Kingdom

    Globally the AT space is developing rapdily, and alongside this comes a growing demand for highly accessible data & insight portal to serve the wider ecosystem, stakeholders, researchers and decision makers. Without a relevant and accessible source of data and insight, participants are struggling to connect, engage, research, invest, source, scout, procure, and contribute to the evolution of this nascent and rapidly growing global ecosystem. We are looking to change this.

  • Screen shot of digital session Cover Image

    GDI Hub at COP26

    Global Disability Innovation Hub
    Nov. 11, 2021
    United Kingdom

    As the earth warms and water levels rise, we need to design cities that support and adapt to the reality of the human experience. We need cities that are resilient in changing climates, that have the capacity to flex and adjust around both the needs of our planet AND the needs of our people. Catch up on our Inclusive Infrastructure and Climate session at COP26.

  • COP 26 logo Cover Image

    GDI Hub is upping the heat on COP26 climate talks to ensure a disability-inclusive future

    Global Disability Innovation Hub
    Nov. 1, 2021
    United Kingdom
    Publisher Link

    During a side event at COP26 on the 11th November, GDI Hub are partnering with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to challenge sector stakeholders to create a future that is both sustainable and inclusive for the 1.2 billion disabled people worldwide – a number set to rise dramatically over coming decades as populations age and stigma reduces. GDI Hub will go armed with newly discovered evidence from the £20 million UK Aid funded programme, AT2030, which highlights the urgency to consider disability inclusion as part of ongoing climate negotiations and resulting actions.

  • Lucas from Amparo holding the award Cover Image

    Prosthetics Startup Amparo wins FT & IFC award in innovating for disability

    Global Disability Innovation Hub
    June 20, 2019
    United Kingdom

    Amparo, one of our AT2030 partners, received the Special Award for Innovating for Disability yesterday evening, at the Financial Times and IFC’s Transformational Business Awards 2019. A group of 9 judges selected the winners from a diverse selection of 270 businesses from all over the world.

  • Para Sport Against Stigma: Commonwealth Games athletes and coaches from Ghana and Zambia visit Loughborough University

    Loughborough University
    Aug. 31, 2022
    Ghana, Zambia
    Publisher Link

    Para Sport Against Stigma is a four-year project hat looks at how representation, education and communication in Para sport can challenge stigma associated with disability in Sub-Sarhan Africa. One part of PSAS focuses on Athlete Development and will see the International Paralympic Committee to deliver a programme to support National Paralympic Committees in Malawi, Ghana and Zambia to develop Para sport. As part of the Athlete Development focus, Para-Powerlifters who represented Ghana and Zambia at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022, along with their coaches, took the opportunity to visit and work with researchers and practitioners from Loughborough University and the International Paralympic Association.