Closing the Gap on Access to Assistive Technology

Assistive technology (AT) helps not only people with disabilities but also the aged population and those with noncommunicable diseases, enabling them to participate in mainstream activities, alleviating a feeling of neglect and promoting self-reliance and well-being. Globally more than two billion people will require AT by 2030. Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) face several challenges to helping people with assistive devices, the most important being a lack of awareness, thereby creating a mismatch between demand and supply. Additionally, there are financial barriers, scarcity of trained human resources, inadequate knowledge about the products, illiteracy, and social stigma, limiting user acceptance and use of these assistive devices among the masses. There is insufficient data about the number of people requiring assistive devices and the burden of disability, as very few surveys have been conducted in LMICs. Consequently, research and development of suitable, sustainable, and premium-quality Assistive devices suffer. AT must be included in the National Policy framework to increase awareness among people, with greater emphasis on indigenous, high-quality production of assistive devices at a sustainable cost. Caregivers and healthcare workers will have to assume a much important role in propagating information on and promoting acceptance of AT. Their participation in surveys is of paramount importance as it will result in the formulation of consumer-friendly production models. Bridging the gap between the demand and the availability of AT is a significant challenge at present and in the future; a multisectoral collaboration is a crucial step to address this concern.