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  • 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

    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.

  • Front page of report Cover Image

    First ever global guide for assistive technology to improve the life of millions

    Global Disability Innovation Hub, UNICEF, World Health Organization
    March 4, 2021
    Global
    News

    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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • A child's legs in plaster receiving treatment. Cover Image

    New report calls for global action for children and adults with clubfoot

    Miracle Feet
    Aug. 2, 2021
    Global
    News

    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.

  • Purple background with the headshots of all the speakers for the global report launch Cover Image

    Global Report on Assistive Technology due to be launched!

    Katherine Perry
    May 13, 2022
    Global
    News

    16th May 2022 marks the launch of the first ever Global Report for Assistive Technology

  • Cover of Estimating need and coverage for five priority assistive products Cover Image

    Estimating need and coverage for five priority assistive products: A systematic review of global population based research

    Jamie Danemayer, Dorothy Boggs, Vinicius Delgado Ramos, Emma M. Smith, Ariana Kular, William Bhot, Felipe Ramos Barajas, Sarah Polack, Catherine Holloway
    Sept. 20, 2021
    Global
    Academic Research Publications

    This systematic review collates data extracted from 207 studies, presenting indicators of population-level access to AT globally.

  • Image of a man in a wheelchair in a workshop environment in Africa Cover Image

    Assistive Tech Impact Fund launches global call for innovative African solutions

    Global Disability Innovation Hub, Catherine Holloway, Brink, Catalyst Fund, Tamara Giltsoff
    Feb. 11, 2021
    Global
    News

    The Assistive Tech Impact Fund (ATIF) is changing the prospects of AT innovators in Africa, providing up to £200k of grant funding alongside expert-led venture-building support to facilitate the growth of the AT sector.

  • Professor Cathy Holloway Cover Image

    Professor Catherine Holloway at UNESCO: Global Media and Information Literacy Week

    Global Disability Innovation Hub
    Nov. 12, 2021
    Global

    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.

  • Screenshot of report Cover Image

    CRPD jurisprudence on Assistive Technologies through Concluding Observations: An analysis from Global South perspectives

    International Disability Alliance
    Oct. 25, 2023
    Global
    AT2030 Resources

    The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) recognizes the importance of assistive technology to enable persons with disabilities to live independently and fully participate in society. The CRPD has defined the obligations of States Parties to promote the use, research, development, production, and distribution of assistive technology, making it affordable and widely available for persons with disabilities.

  • Cover of Assistive Technology Use and Provision During COVID19 Cover Image

    Assistive Technology Use and Provision During COVID19: Results From a Rapid Global Survey

    Emma M. Smith, Maria Luisa Toro Hernandez, Ikenna D. Ebuenyi, Elena V. Syurina, Dr Giulia Barbareschi, Krista L. Best, Jamie Danemayer, Dr Ben Oldfrey, Nuha Ibrahim, Catherine Holloway, Malcolm MacLachlan
    Nov. 11, 2020
    Global
    Academic Research Publications

    The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted all segments of society, but it has posed particular challenges for the inclusion of persons with disabilities, those with chronic illness and older people regarding their participation in daily life. These groups often benefit from assistive technology (AT) and so it is important to understand how use of AT may be affected by or may help to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19.

  • Global Assistive Technology User Network - launch events

    International Disability Alliance
    March 26, 2024
    7am CET

    International Disability Alliance, Global Disability Innovation Hub, UK aid funded AT2030 programme and ATscale, the Global Partnership for Assistive Technology are delighted to be launching the Global Assistive Technology User Network, a global platform for collaboration, networking, exchange and conversation about Assistive Technologies.

  • GDI Hub Logo Cover Image

    Do we have the right Global Strategy to build access to Assistive Technology?

    Vicki Austin, Global Disability Innovation Hub
    March 27, 2019

    Vicki discusses the importance of global partnerships to address the gap to access assistive technology.

  • Close-up of Bradley Hemmings. Cover Image

    Global moments can and do change the way we see the world: reflections from Jenny Sealey and Bradley Hemmings: Co-artistic directors of the Paralympic Opening Ceremony, 2012

    Global Disability Innovation Hub
    Sept. 2, 2024

    The magnificent 2012 Paralympic Games were a game-changer - a Big Bang for the Paralympic Movement. Never before had a Paralympic Games achieved such record breaking attendance, with the stadium selling out, national and international broadcast attention and a global audience of 3.8 billion. Hear reflections from Jenny Sealey and Bradley Hemmings: Co-artistic directors of the Paralympic Opening Ceremony, 2012 as they explore how global moments can and do change the way we see the world.

  • GDS side event flyer. AI for development - bridging the barrier between non-standard speech and the use of Automatic Speech Recognition. The power of AI innovation, and how digital technologies, combined with research, capacity building, local knowledge and local languages have the power to change lives. Joining the panel: Google, Global Disability Innovation Hub & Talking Tipps Africa - sharing practical examples of emerging innovation including the new Centre for Digital Language Inclusion. Cover Image

    Global Disability Summit: Side Event Al for development - bridging the barrier between non-standard speech and the use of Automatic Speech Recognition

    Global Disability Innovation Hub
    April 2, 2025
    5:45pm
    Germany

    This side event, co-hosted by the Global Disability Innovation Hub and Google at the Global Disability Summit (GDS), explores the intersection of AI and Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR), focusing on bridging the gap for people with non-standard speech. Through digital innovation and local expertise, AI holds transformative potential to enable better communication for individuals with speech challenges.

  • Rusmiyati, discus thrower & member of National Paralympic Committee Chapter Banjarmasin, Indonesia Cover Image

    UK Aid funding to support 10.5 million more people with access to life changing Assistive Technology through three innovative investments

    Global Disability Innovation Hub
    Dec. 3, 2020
    Global

    Today, on International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Global Disability Innovation Hub (GDI Hub) is proud to announce three new innovative investments to reach an additional 10.5 million people as part of the UK Aid funded AT2030 programme.

  • screenshot of cover page of the report Cover Image

    Unpacking ‘What Works’: A Commentary of the Key Learnings for ICT from the AT2030 Program

    Catherine Holloway, Vicki Austin, Natasha Layton, Diane Bell
    Nov. 27, 2023
    Global
    AT2030 Resources

    The AT2030 programme was launched in 2018 to test ‘what works’ in getting assistive technology (AT) to people globally, specifically in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), where there is often a systematic lack of provision. After four years, this paper reviews the project outcomes, focussing on published material. It provides the backdrop to the AT2030 program, contextualises current developments in global AT global and funding, and unpacks the key learnings of what works to get AT to the people that need it around the world, with a focus on ICT.

  • The first page of the article Cover Image

    Challenges and Strategies for Accessibility Research in the Global South: A Panel Discussion

    Catherine Holloway, Giulia Barbareschi, Manohar Swaminathan, Andre Pimenta Freire
    Nov. 22, 2021
    Academic Research Publications

    Over 80% of the 1 billion people with disabilities live in the Global South, yet most HCI research on disability and technology is from the Global North. This lack of research, along with diverse socio-cultural factors, creates challenges for accessibility studies in the Global South. This panel features three experienced academics who will share their insights from conducting impactful HCI research with disabled individuals across regions like Latin America, East Africa, and South Asia, focusing on practical aspects of engaging participants and stakeholders.

  • Assistive Tech Impact Fund logo Cover Image

    Assistive Tech Impact Fund: £4m fund trialling impact investment

    Global Disability Innovation Hub, Brink, Catalyst Fund, Tamara Giltsoff
    Dec. 3, 2020
    Global

    On the International Day of People with Disabilities, the new Assistive Tech Impact Fund (ATIF) has been launched out of the UK Aid-funded AT2030 programme, led by the Global Disability Innovation (GDI) Hub. It is a collaboration between GDI Hub, Brink, Tamara Giltsoff and Catalyst Fund. The partnership combines deep expertise in AT, innovation and venture building in Africa, respectively.

  • Global Disability Summit: Side Event How can Asia and the Pacific’s banking sector advance the economic inclusion of people with disabilities?   Thursday 3 April: 13:00 PM to 14:00 PM in Hall 4.2  A case study from Asian Development Bank (ADB) & Global Disability Innovation Hub (GDI Hub)  Highlighted points include: Highlight the banking sector's role in addressing barriers, Showcase a two-year project to catalyse economic inclusion across Asia and the Pacific, Sharing best practice, tangible evidence and new banking sector resources for inclusive pathways  Logos shown include: Global Disablity Summit, ADB, GDI Hub, NBP, TBC and STEP Cover Image

    Global Disability Summit: Accessibility 2030 booth

    Global Disability Innovation Hub
    April 2, 2025
    Germany

    We thrilled to bring Accessibility 2030 to the Global Disability Summit (GDS) to drive urban accessibility. Led by GDI Hub with key partners, our booth will showcase innovations, tools, and case studies, sparking collaboration for more inclusive cities.

  • Join GDI Hub and our partners at the world urban forum Cover Image

    Global Disability Innovation Hub to lead two sessions at World Urban Forum on Inclusive Cities and Climate Resilient Infrastructure

    Global Disability Innovation Hub
    Oct. 30, 2024
    Egypt

    Global Disability Innovation Hub is excited to lead two sessions at World Urban Forum 12 on Inclusive Cities and Climate-Resilient Infrastructure.

  • Person walking with a white stick on road Cover Image

    From Global Insight to Local Action

    Shivani Gupta
    April 14, 2025

    This blog presents the global insights gathered from four years of research undertaken by the Global Disability Innovation Hub, funded by UK International Development under the AT2030 programme. The overarching research question was, ‘What is the current state of inclusive and accessible environments and infrastructure in lower-and-middle-income countries (LMICs), and what is the role of inclusive design in creating an enabling environment for persons with disabilities?’

  • 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 from the summit Cover Image

    Disability Innovation Summit - Recordings

    Global Disability Innovation Hub
    Nov. 1, 2023
    Global
    AT2030 Resources

    Bringing together global experts and new voices to share big ideas and ask the question: What next for disability innovation? Catch up the summit recordings

  • 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.