‘What Works’ to improve access to life-changing Assistive Technology (AT) for all

Join us in person in conference room 4, or follow the action online via UN webcast.

According to the Global Report on Assistive Technology (AT) 2.5 billion people - one in three - need one or more assistive products (e.g. wheelchairs, hearing aids, communication aids). In low- and middle-income countries access levels can be as low as 3% of the need - and by 2050 it's estimated that 3.4 billion will need access to these life-changing products. By acting on the opportunities we have today, we have the power to drive AT outcomes across education, work, family, community and economic life. 

Five years ago we started testing something new. The AT2030 consortium, a UK aid funded programme led by Global Disability Innovation Hub began working to bring together those who have not traditionally focused on AT, with the aim of enabling experts, innovators and AT users to experiment with new ideas and thinking. We’ve now worked with over 46 partners in 36 countries. 

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.

UK Minister of State (Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work) Tom Pursglove MP and guests will explore this story of innovation and learning, at transforming access and revolutionising what has been done before. Working across national, regional and global boundaries, with government and communities, OPd’s, NGO’s, UN agencies and civil society organisations

We’ll look within and beyond the AT2030 programme, exploring the highs and lows - from innovative technology and digital products, to new service delivery models, strategies and market shaping approaches. As urgently to scale up access grows, could a ‘fail fast and scale successes’ approach work for AT? Join us to find out more, and how these insights are being incorporated into wider implementation at a national level.  

The AT2030 programme has reached over 29 million people. It has powered 40 new technologies, supported 52 new start-ups. It has answered 20 key research questions, published over 200 research papers, and tested 10 innovative service delivery models with some of the most promising African AT ventures.  

In this side event we’ll share evidence and learnings from across our programmes, partners, countries and stakeholders - from the importance of strengthened coordination and comprehensive strategies, to robust data collection, in-country capacity training, collaborations across disciplines, mobile and digital solutions, technical specifications and procurement, market shaping, digital ecosystems, and how innovation is pivotal to impact.  

There are many pieces to the AT puzzle. In this session, we look to build the picture - sharing experiences of both those in the room, and the voices of marginalised groups and civil society organisations unable to attend in person through video content. 

Tom Pursglove MP, Minister of State for Disabled People, Health and Work of the United Kingdom will be joined by: 

Vicki Austin, Global Disability Innovation Hub (GDI Hub) - CEO & Founder
Kylie Shae, The World Health Organization - Team Lead, Access to Assistive Technology
Pascal Bijleveld, ATscale - CEO
Juan Angel de Gouveia - Chair of the Latin American Network of non governmental organizations of persons with disabilities and their families (RIADIS)
Anna Landre, GDI Hub - Research Fellow DPO network mapping
Jamie Danemayer, GDI Hub - Research Fellow Population Health
Fernando Botelho, UNICEF - Programme Specialist, Assistive Technology

Jonathan Kaufman - Consultant, Executive Coach, Licensed Psychotherapist and is a regular Contributor to Forbes. He also served as a Policy Advisor to the Obama White House on Diversity and Disability

Join the digital event: https://media.un.org/en/asset/k1h/k1hfdh4gt2