World Health Organisation (WHO) and United Nations International Children Fund (UNICEF) in their new report revealed that nearly one billion people with disabilities are denied access to assistive products globally particularly in low-and middle-income countries.
This was disclosed in a global report on assistive technology by the World Body on Monday, also stated that more than 2.5 billion people need one or more assistive products, such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, or apps that support communication and cognition.
The global report on assistive technology presented an evidence for the first time on the global need, access to assistive products and provides series of recommendations to expand availability and access, raise awareness of the need, and implement inclusion policies to improve the lives of millions of people.
WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, "Assistive technology is a life changer, it opens door to education for children with impairments, employment and social interaction for adults living with disabilities, and an independent life of dignity for older persons".
Ghebreyesus further said denying people access to these life-changing tools is not only an infringement of human rights, it’s economically shortsighted. "We call on all countries to fund and prioritize access to assistive technology and give everyone a chance to live up to their potential", he added.
Also, UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said, "Nearly 240 million children have disabilities. Denying children the right to the products they need to thrive doesn’t only harm individual children, it deprives families and their communities of everything they could contribute if their needs were met.
“Without access to assistive technology, children with disabilities will continue to miss out on their education, continue to be at a greater risk of child labor and continue to be subjected to stigma and discrimination, undermining their confidence and wellbeing", she said.
However, report noted that the number of people in need of one or more assistive products is likely to rise to 3.5 billion by 2050, due to populations ageing and the prevalence of noncommunicable diseases rising across the world.
It also highlighted the vast gap in access between low-and high-income countries. "An analysis of 35 countries reveals that access varies from 3% in poorer nations to 90% in wealthy countries, noted that affordability is a major barrier to access.
Around two thirds of people with assistive products reported out-of-pocket payments for them. Others reported relying on family and friends to financially support their needs.
Meanwhile, a survey of 70 countries featured in the report found large gaps in service provision and trained workforce for assistive technology, especially in the domains of cognition, communication and self-care.
Previous surveys published by WHO noted a lack of awareness and unaffordable prices, lack of services, inadequate product quality, range and quantity, and procurement and supply chain challenges as key barriers.
While assistive products are generally considered a means to participate in community life and in wider society on an equal footing with others; without them, people suffer exclusion, are at risk of isolation, live in poverty, may face hunger, and be forced to depend more on family, community and government support.
Furthermore, the positive impact of assistive products goes beyond improving the health, well-being, participation and inclusion of individual users, families and societies also benefit.
For example, enlarging access to quality-assured, safe and affordable assistive products leads to reduced health and welfare costs, such as recurrent hospital admissions or state benefits, and promotes a more productive labour force, indirectly stimulating economic growth.
Access to assistive technology for children with disabilities is often the first step for childhood development, access to education, participation in sports and civic life, and getting ready for employment like their peers.
Children with disabilities have additional challenges due to their growth, which requires frequent adjustments or replacements of their assistive products.
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