Worldwide, there is significant need for assistive technology (AT), especially in the domain of mobility. However, in many low- and middle-income countries, access to affordable, good-quality and contextually appropriate AT remains limited. The AT4ALL program aims to address this gap by developing mobility devices in close collaboration with local professionals in The Gambia and Tanzania. This paper presents the outcomes of three projects withing the AT4ALL program, each focused on designing, producing and in the end implementing assistive devices that can be manufactured and maintained using local resources. A Human-Centered Design (HCD) and co-design approach were applied to ensure that the devices meet the values, needs and contextual factors of the users and stakeholders. Prototypes of a walking stick, crutch, frame runner and a wheelchair were developed and tested. Local professionals were trained in manufacturing. However, integration into society and uptake of the devices remain challenging, partly due to lack of local ownership and limited research into different business models. A meta-analysis of the projects highlighted the importance of using local materials and involving stakeholders early in the design process. The findings from these projects form the foundation for a more comprehensive method for developing assistive mobility devices in similar contexts, contributing to a more inclusive society for persons with disabilities.

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Assistive Technology 4 All (AT4ALL) - Developing Assistive Devices in Low Resource Settings

  • Henriette S. Brummer,
  • Luc P. De Witte

摘要

Worldwide, there is significant need for assistive technology (AT), especially in the domain of mobility. However, in many low- and middle-income countries, access to affordable, good-quality and contextually appropriate AT remains limited. The AT4ALL program aims to address this gap by developing mobility devices in close collaboration with local professionals in The Gambia and Tanzania. This paper presents the outcomes of three projects withing the AT4ALL program, each focused on designing, producing and in the end implementing assistive devices that can be manufactured and maintained using local resources. A Human-Centered Design (HCD) and co-design approach were applied to ensure that the devices meet the values, needs and contextual factors of the users and stakeholders. Prototypes of a walking stick, crutch, frame runner and a wheelchair were developed and tested. Local professionals were trained in manufacturing. However, integration into society and uptake of the devices remain challenging, partly due to lack of local ownership and limited research into different business models. A meta-analysis of the projects highlighted the importance of using local materials and involving stakeholders early in the design process. The findings from these projects form the foundation for a more comprehensive method for developing assistive mobility devices in similar contexts, contributing to a more inclusive society for persons with disabilities.