The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated development and interest in diagnostic tests (in vitro diagnostics), with considerable numbers of new products coming to the market and clear understanding of testing needs and practices by lay people. However, whether it be HIV professional use rapid diagnostic tests or COVID-19 self-tests, it is rare for manufacturers to understand and incorporate considerations that allow for their products to be accessible and used by all users, including persons with disabilities, such as those having underlying vision impairment, mobility, intellectual, psychosocial or cognitive impairments, and people with low health literacy, amongst others. No such global guidance exists to support manufacturers to develop more accessible rapid diagnostic tests, across diseases.
WHO drafted a document entitled "Rapid diagnostic test accessibility considerations: for professional use and self-tests" aimed at providing considerations for manufacturers in developing or adapting their diagnostic tests or self-tests to ensure accessibility to all users.
Feedback from all relevant stakeholders is welcome before the finalization of this document. Important stakeholder groups for this technical guidance include, but are not restricted to, experts in all diseases and health conditions, public health system practitioners, representatives of health ministries and national programmes, civil society, organizations of persons with disabilities, end-users, diagnostics experts, donors, and manufacturers. Please complete the following survey to share your comments.
The deadline for the submission of comments is 11 February 2025.
Contact us at disability@who.int for additional information.