On 27-28 October 2022, the WHO, in collaboration with UNICEF, convened the final global consultation for the Global Report on Assistive Technology (GReAT).
Over the two days, 291 global stakeholders from 68 countries discussed the contents and the draft recommendations of the global report to be published in 2022. Participants in the consultation included representatives from national governments, professional organizations, academia, user groups, civil society organizations, NGOs, and other UN organizations.
Panel sessions presented findings on population access to and system readiness for assistive technology, good practices to reduce barriers and create enabling environments, usage of data to inform policy development. Seven countries (Liberia, Iran, Poland, Myanmar, Guatemala, China, and Bangladesh) presented the rapid Assistive Technology Assessment (rATA) survey outcomes on population use, need, and barriers to access in their countries. Along with WHO and UNICEF, global stakeholders such as the Global Alliance of Assistive Technology Organizations, HelpAge International, International Disability Alliance, AT2030, and WIPO showcased their work and actions for assistive technology. Participants discussed and provided input to the draft recommendations during parallel break-out sessions focused on six areas: people, policy, products, provision, personnel, and humanitarian crises.
The outcome of the discussions, feedback, and consensus are collected to finalize the global report that will inform WHO’s future agenda on assistive technology, including a roadmap for country actions.
At the end of the consultation, global stakeholders, including ATScale, Global Disability Innovation Hub, and others, gave a call to dedicate one day as International Assistive Technology Day (ATday). An International ATday will serve as an annual reminder to increase public awareness of the importance of AT and celebrate assistive products users all around the world.