Publications
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A scoping review of digital fabrication techniques applied to prosthetics and orthotics: Part 1 of 2-Prosthetics
Dr Ben Oldfrey, Dr Dafne Morgado Ramirez, Mark Miodownik, Matthew Wassall, Nerrolyn Ramstrand, Man S Wong, Jamie Danemayer, Alex Dickinson, Laurence Kenney, Christopher Nester, Edward Lemaire, Hossein Gholizadeth, Laura E Diment, Margaret K Donovan-Hall, Catherine HollowayApril 16, 2024GlobalAcademic Research PublicationsThis scoping review examines the application of digital fabrication techniques to prosthetics, aiming to address gaps in the literature that hinder the adoption of these technologies in clinical settings. Traditional prosthetic manufacturing is labor-intensive and time-consuming, but digital fabrication could streamline the process and improve global access. A comprehensive search across multiple databases yielded 3487 articles, with 247 studies on lower and upper limb prosthetics included in the review. The findings highlight significant limitations, including the need for larger, long-term studies, better understanding of training requirements, and variability in production workflows and materials, all of which impede consistent conclusions
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Registration for Assistive Technology online course
International Disability AllianceMarch 31, 2024GlobalAT2030 ResourcesInternational Disability Alliance (IDA) proudly presents its online course "Empowering Independence: Navigating the World of Assistive Technology" and invites you to register for it! Be among the first ones to get access to it.
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Enabling Fridays Community Nepal
Global Disability Innovation Hub, RAM CHANDRA THAPAMarch 29, 2024NepalAT2030 ResourcesWe believe that now is the time to examine where more localized product and service innovation could unlock more sustainable and resilient AT ecosystem infrastructure in Nepal. We believe there is an opportunity to create better connections between the AT community and local manufacturers, with both newer digital and traditional fabrication expertise to enable sustainable technology transfer and promote innovation. The Enabling Fridays Community Nepal want to bring together local and global expertise working in the AT sector to identify routes that would unlock local innovation, and improve current gaps in service. We have convened our initial stakeholder group over 3 sessions to collectively define problem indicators and set an agenda for what the next steps should be. The overarching challenge for AT provision in Nepal is that there is currently no visible pathway to appropriately meet people's needs throughout their lifetime.
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Research summary Guidelines for assistive technology service provision
Diane BellMarch 29, 2024GlobalResearch SummariesThis research summary provides key highlights and snapshot content from the guidelines for assistive technology service provision – A scoping review.
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Situational Analysis of Manual Wheelchair Provision: Nepal
Global Disability Innovation HubMarch 29, 2024NepalAT2030 ResourcesThe Enabling Friday Community (EFC) Nepal has proposed a vision for change based on 4 working sessions over the past few months - Enabling Fridays Vision. While we want to focus on building sustainable assistive technology innovation and systems, we as a group recognised the obvious need for specific data to inform the work. Collaboratively we have agreed that a situational analysis and action plan for sustainable manual wheelchair provision should be prioritised to develop a working methodology and service system template. An initial concept note for the work can be found at the below link on which official consultation is being sought within Nepal before proceeding.
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Navigating the AT Ecosystem as Users: Findings from IDA’s Assistive Technology Survey
International Disability Alliance, Global Disability Innovation HubMarch 27, 2024GlobalAT2030 ResourcesThis report is the collective work of the International Disability Alliance and GDI Hub. The survey report is under the project “Positioning OPDs as Equal Partners on AT” to provide technical support, disseminate research, and advocate for access of persons with disabilities to assistive technology in respective regions. This report, and its base survey, also benefitted greatly from the contributions of the IDA-GDI Hub AT User Fellows, namely Ahmed Abdallah, Banya Ojok, Elizabeth Campos, Nayem Molla, and Yusra Gilani. Several user testers from IDA’s community of practice supported the enhancement of this survey, with their contributions making the survey accessible to numerous respondents.
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Paralympic Broadcasting in Sub-Saharan Africa: Sport, Media and Communication for Social Change
Harrison KamauMarch 26, 2024GlobalResearch SummariesThis research summary provides key highlights and snapshot content from the research paper, Paralympic Broadcasting in Sub-Saharan Africa: Sport, Media and Communication for Social Change.
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AT DIGEST ISSUE 4
International Disability AllianceMarch 18, 2024GlobalAT2030 ResourcesIn this fourth and final issue of AT Digest, IDA-GDI Hub Assistive Technology User Fellows reflect on the role of assistive technology in the inclusion and participation of persons with disabilities in public life. They penned this piece based on their personal experiences as well as data gathered from AT user interviews conducted in their respective countries namely: Bangladesh, Pakistan, Peru, Sudan, and Uganda. Five fellows interacted in pairs to design interview questions and interviewed 20 AT users representing different disability constituencies including persons with albinism, persons with intellectual disabilities and Deaf persons. IDA provided the Fellows with technical support and guidance notes.
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AT DIGEST: Issue 3
International Disability AllianceMarch 13, 2024GlobalAT2030 ResourcesThis third issue of the AT Digest reflects on focuses on the relevance of meaningful consultation with and participation of AT users, including organizations of persons with disabilities, to AT policy making and implementation processes.
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Guidelines for assistive technology service provision – A scoping review
Natasha Layton, Luc De Witte, Alice Spann, Evert Jan Hoogerwerf, Silvana Contepomi, Mehedi Khan Kobe, Diane BellMarch 12, 2024GlobalAcademic Research PublicationsDespite the high unmet need for effective AT provision, multiple service delivery models across different countries, and a shortage of personnel trained in this field, no widely useable and accepted Assistive Technology (AT) service provision guidelines currently exist. This review aims to provide an overview of the literature regarding AT service provision guidelines to inform the development of globally useable AT provision guidance, aligned with contemporary global initiatives to improve access to AT.
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Research Summary: Wheelchair provision guidelines
World Health OrganizationFeb. 6, 2024GlobalResearch SummariesThis research summary provides key highlights and snapshot content from the wheelchair provision guidelines which aims to support improved access to appropriate wheelchairs, for all those in need, including children, older persons, people with mobility disabilities, and those with chronic health conditions.
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Multi-country rapid Assistive Technology Assessment (rATA) 2019-2021: findings from a consultative review
World Health OrganizationFeb. 1, 2024GlobalAT2030 ResourcesThis report documents a consultative review of the rapid Assistive Technology Assessment (rATA) survey and implementation. The review was carried out to inform the further development and use of the rATA survey, considering the methods used for data collection, country support, data analysis, and dissemination. The report provides lessons learned, recommendations, and actions to support and improve mechanisms for measuring access to assistive technology. The findings and recommendations are relevant for all stakeholders with an interest in measuring need and access to assistive technology.
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AT DIGEST Issue 2
Global Disability Innovation Hub, International Disability AllianceFeb. 1, 2024GlobalAT2030 ResourcesAT Digest is a quarterly publication curated by the International Disability Alliance with the objective of increasing awareness about the possibilities offered by assistive technology as experienced by its users. Additionally, it aims to disseminate information to a broad spectrum of assistive technology stakeholders, such as present and prospective users, manufacturers, and policymakers.
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It's a Much Harder Journey: Scaling Assistive Technology Innovations to New Markets in Africa
Global Disability Innovation HubJan. 30, 2024Academic Research PublicationsAccess to Assistive Technology (AT) in Africa is severely limited, with less than 25% of those who need AT have access to it. This paper examines three cases illustrating the journey of scaling AT innovations in African markets to enhance access. Our methodology involves within-case and across-case analyses, highlighting the significant impact of contextual factors on assistive product design and service delivery.
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Adult Autism Research Priorities and Conceptualization in Computing Research: Invitation to Co-Lead with Autistic Adults
Catherine Holloway, Dr Giulia Barbareschi, Dafne Zuleima Morgado RamirezJan. 24, 2024GlobalAcademic Research PublicationsAutism research is primarily targeted toward children and at normalising autistic traits. We conducted a literature review of computing research on adult autism. We focused on identifying research priorities set by autistic adults and their allies, determining participation levels, identifying how autism is conceptualised, and the types of technologies designed and their purposes. This is important for future research as we need to ensure technologies designed for Autistic people are fully co-designed starting with the problem statement itself.
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Adult Autism Research Priorities and Conceptualization in Computing Research: Invitation to Co-Lead with Autistic Adults: Research Summary
Catherine Holloway, Dr Giulia Barbareschi, Dafne Zuleima Morgado RamirezJan. 24, 2024Research SummariesThis study examines how computing research on adult autism aligns with the priorities of autistic adults, focusing on areas such as conceptualisation, representation, and involvement in research. It identifies key issues in the research process. The study advocates for more inclusive, participatory research with a strengths-based approach and greater diversity in research demographics.
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Artificial Intelligence Alone Will Not Democratise Education: On Educational Inequality, Techno-Solutionism and Inclusive Tools
Catherine Holloway, Mutlu Cukurova, Sahan Bulathwela, María Pérez-Ortiz, John Shawe-TaylorJan. 16, 2024Academic Research PublicationsThis piece explores AI's potential to personalise and democratise education while warning of risks like increased inequality due to the digital divide. It calls for an inclusive, equitable AI approach that prioritises human-centred design and open resources, aiming to create accessible, lifelong learning opportunities for all.
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Artificial Intelligence Alone Will Not Democratise Education: On Educational Inequality, Techno-Solutionism and Inclusive Tools - Research Summary
Sahan Bulathwela, María Pérez-Ortiz, Catherine Holloway, Mutlu Cukurova, John Shawe-TaylorJan. 16, 2024Research SummariesThis work explores AI’s potential to personalise learning and improve access, highlighting its role in reducing or widening inequalities. It advocates for an inclusive AI system that supports lifelong learning, focusing on personalised learning, inclusive design, and open resources.
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Project Relate Training
Global Disability Innovation HubDec. 31, 2023GlobalCase Studies and ReportsThis website provides training on Project Relate, a personalised speech recognition Andriod beta APP for people with non-standard speech.
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Enabling Access Locally: A Systems Approach to Wheelchair Provisioning in Low-Resource Contexts (Nepal)
RAM CHANDRA THAPADec. 19, 2023NepalAcademic Research PublicationsConsidering that 2.2% of Nepal's population faces disabilities, improving access to assistive technology is both a moral obligation and a priority for sustainable development. At the governmental level, efforts are underway to integrate essential assistive devices into the healthcare system aligning with WHO guidelines. However, there remain significant challenges in implementing these policies, despite constitutional guarantees of free and equitable access to assistive technology. This thesis proposes a collaborative approach to establish sustainable wheelchair provision in Nepal.
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