Chapter 6: A call to action

Providing access to assistive technology can improve the lives of hundreds of millions of people

Governments and donors have a responsibility to prioritise action and investment in AT. In 2015, all countries agreed to the Sustainable Development Goals, which include a commitment to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030. UHC is about ensuring that people have access to the health care they need without suffering financial hardship. Countries will not achieve UHC unless they strengthen their health systems to include equitable provision of quality AT. The need for AT will only continue to grow in coming years as the global population ages. 69 Total need is projected to increase to two billion individuals by 2050.3 Countries will need to explore innovative approaches to creating supportive systems and healthy markets in order to ensure successful AT provision on the required scale. These actions are critical to ensure the human rights of people in need and create more inclusive societies.

As this report describes, meeting the need for AT represents an impactful and cost-effective investment. It contributes to increasing incomes for users and their families, generating economic benefits worth nine times the required investment as well as significant health and social benefits.

Therefore, ATscale puts forth a call to action to increase access to assistive technology for the 90% of those in need around the world who have been left behind. In order to reach all people in need with appropriate products and services and to strengthen systems to support the sustainable and equitable provision of AT:

ATscale calls on LMIC governments to recognise the significant economic, health and social benefits outlined in this case for investment in AT, and to comply with their commitments to existing international agreements by:

• Allocating resources to facilitate access to appropriate AT products and services integrated with national health plans
• Enacting supportive and inclusive policies that establish AT as core parts of national health systems/services, insurance schemes, social protection programmes, education initiatives, and others

• Leading and supporting efforts to raise awareness of the need for and benefits of AT, reduce stigma in communities and the workplace, and foster respect for the rights and dignity of all users
• Consulting and working with AT users and organisations of persons with disabilities on various aspects of programme delivery

ATscale calls on donor organisations to incorporate this new evidence on the value-for-money of AT investments into plans for achieving the 2030 Agenda by:

• Considering the inclusion of AT-focused grants and initiatives into their funding strategies in ways that support sustainable service delivery systems, improve data and evidence, and expand user access to appropriate assistive devices
• Advocating for and incentivising LMIC governments to prioritise access to AT as an important part of their commitments to achieving existing health and development targets
• Consulting and working with AT users and organisations of persons with disabilities on various aspects of programme delivery

ATscale calls on the private sector to contribute to the effort to expand access to affordable and high-quality AT to those in need in all parts of the world by:

• Working with ATscale and others to review their product portfolios and identify business models and approaches that create win-win situations for business and those in need of AT

ATscale calls on the disability rights movement to leverage this new case for investment to ensure the rights of persons with disabilities by:

• Advocating for local and national governments to introduce national policies on AT and increase investments in the sector
• Advocating for improvements in access to appropriate AT products
• Advocating for more engagement with AT users and organisations representing persons with disabilities in setting policies and plans

ATscale calls on the global development community to recognise that increasing access to AT is a critical challenge; finding solutions can bring tremendous benefit, but requires collaborative action by:

• Participating in coordinated programmes through ATscale and other organisations to build economies of scale and accelerate progress in bringing AT to under-represented and marginalised communities
• Consulting and working with AT users and organisations of persons with disabilities on various aspects of programme delivery, including the delivery of campaigns or technical assistance programmes at all levels