Publications
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Understanding the Impact of Assistive Technology on Users’ Lives in England: A Capability Approach
Rebecca Joskow, Dilisha Patel, Anna Landre, Kate Mattick, Catherine Holloway, Jamie Danemayer, Vicki AustinJuly 9, 2025Academic Research PublicationsThis study explores the real-life impact of assistive technology (AT) in England, drawing on findings from a 2023 Country Capacity Assessment conducted by GDI Hub and the UK Disability Unit using the WHO’s ATA toolkit. It revealed the personal significance of AT in shaping identity and confidence, while identifying systemic barriers that limit access and effectiveness. The findings emphassze the need for user-centered approaches in measuring and improving AT systems.
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Nepal Wheelchair Provision Workshop Report
Global Disability Innovation Hub, University of Limerick, Kathmandu UniversityJune 30, 2025Academic Research PublicationsDespite supportive policies, wheelchair provision in Nepal is informal and unsustainable. Through interviews and workshops across four provinces, key challenges and solutions were identified, highlighting the urgent need for systemic reform to ensure equitable, sustainable wheelchair services.
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Reflective narrative of OPD's and capacity building in Pakistan
Global Disability Innovation Hub, Special Talent Exchange Program (STEP)June 30, 2025Academic Research PublicationsThis report explores the Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) ecosystem in Pakistan, focusing on how capacity building can drive systemic change, improve access to Assistive Technology (AT), and strengthen advocacy for the rights of People with Disabilities (PwDs). Part of the AT2030 programme, funded by UK International Development, the initiative draws on policy analysis, consultations with OPDs, and engagement with government, academia, and the private sector. It identifies key challenges, highlights opportunities, and offers practical recommendations to enhance OPD effectiveness and AT access.
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Consultation guide to inform the development of Dignity Kits customised for women and girls with disabilities
Patel Dilisha, Global Disability Innovation HubJune 23, 2025GlobalAcademic Research PublicationsThis new toolkit is here to help us hold impactful consultations to develop Dignity Kits specifically for women and girls with disabilities! Created with GDI Hub and UNFPA Asia-Pacific Regional Office, this guide has been refined through piloting in Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Fiji, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka UNFPA Country Offices. Their experiences are now integrated, making this a powerful tool for UNFPA country offices worldwide to ensure their offerings are truly inclusive.
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The Future of Financial Inclusion
Global Disability Innovation HubJune 11, 2025GlobalCase Studies and ReportsConsulting for global development actors and private sector partners globally, Global Disability Innovation Hub is a thought leader in inclusive practices and mechanisms. Working across consumer facing accessible services, recruitment and workforce, we are also exploring private capital as an emerging force within the international development and inclusive innovation sphere.
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How can the principles of Human Computer Interaction inform responsible AI adoption in humanitarian practice?
Tigmanshu Bhatnagar, Maarya Omar, Davor Orlic, James Smith, Dr Maria Kett, Catherine HollowayMay 28, 2025AT2030 ResourcesOn Wed, 30 April 2025, Tigmanshu Bhatnagar presented a paper at the CHI 2025 conference, on 'Bridging AI and Humanitarianism: An HCI-Informed Framework for Responsible AI Adoption' by Tigmanshu Bhatnagar, Maarya Omar, Davor Orlic, James Smith, Catherine Holloway, Maria Kett, as part of a session on Trust and Responsibility in AI. CHI is the ACM (Association for Computing Machinery) conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems. It is the premier international conference of Human Computer Interaction. This video explores some of the issues detailed in the research.
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The Global Disability Inclusion Report: Accelerating Disability Inclusion in a Changing and Diverse World
A Multi-stakeholder Report for the Global Disability Summit 2025May 27, 2025Academic Research PublicationsThe Global Disability Inclusion Report: Accelerating Disability Inclusion in a Changing and Diverse World was developed specifically for the Global Disability Summit 2025. It provides an overview of how the profound changes shaping our world impact the diversity of persons with disabilities and pathways to address these changes and drive inclusion across all aspects of life.
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Storytelling for disability advocacy workbook
Global Disability Innovation HubMay 9, 2025GlobalAT2030 ResourcesIn recognising storytelling's transformative potential, this toolkit has been developed to empower individuals and communities to articulate their stories effectively. Through structured approaches and practical resources, participants are guided in creating compelling narratives that not only convey their lived experiences but also amplify their voices in advocating for greater access to assistive technology.
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Access to smartphones in Kenya: the research case for mobile as AT - Research Summary
Global Disability Innovation HubMay 8, 2025Research SummariesThis report presents findings from a study in Kenya that explored how mobile technology can improve digital inclusion for Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) and Blind and Partially Sighted (BPS) individuals. To test the effectiveness of smartphones as affordable assistive tools, participants were provided with devices and trained in ways tailored to their specific needs.
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Inclusive Voices: Advancing Language Technology for People with Impaired Speech in Local Languages
Richard CaveMay 8, 2025Academic Research PublicationsIn April 2025, the CDLI (Centre for Digital Language exclusion) team attended CHI 2025 - the ACM (Association for Computing Machinery) conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems held in Yokohama, Japan. They took part in a workshop on the theme of "Speech AI for All: Promoting Accessibility, Fairness, Inclusivity, and Equity" and made a poster presentation on “Inclusive Voices: Advancing Language Technology for People with Impaired Speech in Local Languages”, which addressed the question of how to promote accessibility, fairness, inclusivity and equity through the use of language technology in local languages for people with impaired speech.
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Advancing Speech Technology for All
Global Disability Innovation HubMay 1, 2025Case Studies and ReportsThe Centre for Digital Language Inclusion (CDLI) is charting a bold path forward for automatic speech recognition (ASR) in underrepresented communities. This report highlights the Centre's pioneering work in developing AI-driven solutions for people with non-standard speech, especially in low-resource African languages.
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Youth Attitudes Towards Disability Sport & Assistive Technology: Research Summary
Shujaaz IncApril 3, 2025Research SummariesThis report presents findings from a survey conducted by Shujaaz Inc., under the AT2030 initiative led by the Global Disability Innovation Hub (GDI Hub). The study aimed to understand the awareness, attitudes, and participation of 18–24-year-old Kenyans regarding disability, disability sports, and assistive technology.
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AT2030: Testing 'What Works' in Assistive Technology
Global Disability Innovation HubApril 2, 2025Case Studies and ReportsFirst showcased at the Global Disability Summit (GDS) 2025, the AT2030 Impact Brochure 2025 details the AT2030 programme's progress and achievements in expanding access to assistive technology (AT) globally, including information on the program's evolution, key outcomes, partnerships, and future directions.
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Make Your City More Inclusive: A Global Action Report
Global Disability Innovation HubApril 2, 2025Case Studies and ReportsFirst presented at the Global Disablity Summit, The "Make Your City More Inclusive: A Global Action" report offers cities practical actions to accelerate accessibility and inclusion in their infrastructure, buildings, services, and operations.
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Paris 2024, Malawi, and the Power of Media: How Making Noise is Changing Disability Narratives
Loughborough University, University of Malawi, Malawi Paralympic CommitteeMarch 31, 2025Case Studies and ReportsThe Malawi Paralympic Committee, and University of Malawi, worked closely with a range of national stakeholders to develop activities and media content aimed at challenging and shifting stigma associated with disability through Para sport. This case study provides insight on the "Making Noise" methodology that was implemented before, during, and after the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
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Zimachitika Para sport Radio Drama – Leveraging Edutainment for Disability Inclusion
Loughborough University, University of Malawi, Malawi Paralympic CommitteeMarch 31, 2025Case Studies and ReportsAhead of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, the Malawi Paralympic Committee and the University of Malawi partnered with Story Workshop Educational Trust (SWET) to produce six special episodes of the popular Malawian radio drama Zimachitika (These Things Happen). Using the "Making Noise" methodology, this initiative aimed to build interest in Para sport and challenge stigma around disability through the power of storytelling.
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BeyondThisLand Case Study
Global Disability Innovation Hub, Loughborough University, University of Malawi, Malawi Paralympic Committee, The African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5March 31, 2025Case Studies and ReportsThis case study highlights the #BeyondThisLand campaign used to reimagine the narrative of disability sports in Africa, presenting para athletes as talented, motivated, and strong competitors while engaging audiences through relatable digital storytelling.
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Localising I'mPossible Toolkit Malawi
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC)March 30, 2025AT2030 ResourcesThis toolkit is for professionals in the Para-Sports sector to develop their I'mPossible skillset and address stigma, This tool is available in Chichewa.
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Disability and Assistive Technology in Population-Based Data
Jamie Danemayer, Catherine HollowayMarch 30, 2025Academic Research PublicationsThis article aims to describe the data types and accompanying methods that are commonly-used to estimate disability prevalence in a population. These estimates are often commissioned by policymakers to scale supportive measures, and innovators to describe addressable markets to funders.
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Beyond this land case study
Global Disability Innovation Hub, Loughborough University, University of Malawi, Malawi Paralympic CommitteeMarch 28, 2025Case Studies and ReportsStigma around disability in Africa remains deeply entrenched, limiting societal inclusion, reducing visibility, and restricting access to assistive technologies. This report highlights how showcasing talent, strength, and motivation, can challenge traditional narratives of disability. Africa’s growing digital landscape presents an opportunity to reshape perceptions and drive awareness of assistive technologies.
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