News
International Day of Persons with Disabilities in 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.
International Day of Persons with Disabilities
President Uhuru Kenyatta was the Chief Guest in 3rd December's International Day of Persons with Disabilities held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre in Nairobi. In the history of the commemorations, this is the first time a Head of State has graced the event.
MiracleFeet: The human impact of foot braces in Nigeria and Liberia
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.
The Opportunity of a Billion - special webinar series exploring the Assistive Tech Impact Fund
We're delighted to announce a special Disability Innovation Live webinar series showcasing current AT pioneers and exploring the future role of assistive technology (AT) in the impact investing landscape. The series will be a unique opportunity to see behind the scenes of our AT Impact Fund, hearing from the innovators, experts and investors on entering new markets, exploring never-used-before financing models and developing pioneering business models.
Professor Catherine Holloway at UNESCO: Global Media and Information Literacy Week
On 29th October, Professor Catherine Holloway was invited to speak as a research partner of UNESCO and advocated for the need of technology to account for the needs of the population. The event was held virtually and organised by The Permanent Mission of Chile in its capacity of Presidency of the Group of Friends of Older Persons, UNESCO, WHO and ITU.
GDI Hub at COP26
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.
GDI Hub is upping the heat on COP26 climate talks to ensure a disability-inclusive future
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.
Co-design workshop exploring inclusive and accessible urban environment in Varanasi, India
GDI Hub, NIUA and Kiran Society hold co design workshop to build insights on creating inclusive and accessible urban environment in Varanasi, India
Press Release: VSCL and NIUA hold a City Stakeholder Consultation to facilitate and realise the vision of a Sugamya Kashi (Inclusive Varanasi)
Press Release: Varanasi Smart City Limited (VSCL) and National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) hold a City Stakeholder Consultation to facilitate and realise the vision of a Sugamya Kashi (Inclusive Varanasi)
Press release: IPC–led partnership secures a record breaking 49 territories for free-to-air African broadcast coverage of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games
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.
Record 49 territories for free-to-air African broadcast coverage of Paralympic Games
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.
New report calls for global action for children and adults with clubfoot
A new report by the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) for AT2030, a UK Aid-funded program led by the Global Disability Innovation Hub (GDI Hub), aims to drive progress for children and adults with clubfoot to reach their full potential.
An online launch of the WHO and UNICEF procurement manual for assistive products, accessories, spare parts, and related services
On 06 July 2021, an online event was held to launch the WHO and UNICEF manual for public procurement of assistive products, accessories, spare parts, and related services. This manual focuses on public procurement and specifically on tendering (competition) for assistive products, accessories, spare parts and related services, hereafter called assistive products. The manual is based on procuring these products from manufacturers, or one of their economic operators, called suppliers.
Webinar summary: launch of the AT2030 Inclusive Infrastruture Case Study in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
The webinar summary and recording of the Inclusive Infrastruture Case Study in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
An online launch of the AT2030 Inclusive Infrastructure Case Study in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
On Thursday May 6th an online launch event was held, bringing together key stakeholders in the domains of disability inclusion and inclusive design and urban development in Mongolia.
AT2030 programme secures A plus rating from Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office and has reached 12m people so far
We are delighted to announce that the AT2030 programme has been recognised as; excellent ‘Exceeding Expectations’ by funders UK Aid and has already reached 12 million people in more than 31 countries.
Co-design workshop exploring inclusive and accessible urban environment in Varanasi, India
GDI Hub, NIUA and Kiran Society hold co design workshop to build insights on creating inclusive and accessible urban environment in Varanasi, India. As part of the ongoing research case study, the workshop aimed to understand the state of inclusive design and accessible urban environment in the city of Varanasi.
GDI Hub, NIUA and Kiran Society hold co design workshop to build insights on creating inclusive and accessible urban environment in Varanasi, India
The workshop looked to understand the barriers and challenges faced by disabled people in accessing basic infrastructure services, identifying key priority areas for improvement and recommendations for city stakeholders.
Global Disability Innovation Hub becomes the worlds first WHO Collaborating Centre on Assistive Technology
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.
First ever global guide for assistive technology to improve the life of millions
The new WHO Assistive Products Specifications is the first global guide for quality-assured assistive products, containing specs for 26 prioritised assistive products, including the minimum quality requirements for manufacturing. Funded by UK Aid under the AT2030 programme, the work is a major milestone to drive high quality, affordable AT globally.