Guide for assistive technology market assessment and shaping

Overview

This guide for assistive technology (‎AT)‎ market assessment and shaping provides a comprehensive framework for understanding and improving the AT market. It outlines key concepts such as market conditions, externalities and stakeholders, and it aligns market considerations with the WHO-GATE 5P framework (‎people, policy, products, personnel, provision)‎. The guide details a six-step approach to market shaping: identifying target markets, assessing market shortcomings, diagnosing root causes, identifying and prioritizing market-shaping options, implementing interventions, and monitoring and evaluating results. It emphasizes the importance of collaboration with the private sector and provides practical tools and resources for conducting market assessments. The guide aims to enhance access to AT by identifying market inefficiencies, and it recommends interventions aimed at reducing costs, increasing market information, balancing demand and supply, and improving access to finance. It is intended for stakeholders at national, regional and international levels, including governments, civil society, the private sector and intergovernmental agencies.