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The resolution on improving access to assistive technology (WHA71.8) urges all Member States to improve access to assistive technology and requests the World Health Organization (WHO) to develop a Global Report on Assistive Technology based on the best available scientific evidence and international experience. The resolution also requests WHO Secretariat to submit progress reports in 2022, 2026 and 2030 to communicate the progress made by the Member States in implementing the resolution.
In response to these requests, WHO has undertaken a global initiative to measure access to assistive technology at the population and system level between April 2019 and December 2021. The data were collected using two WHO tools:
- Assistive technology population access indicators, a population-based household survey that measures self-reported use, need, met need, and barriers to accessing assistive technology.
- Assistive technology progress indicators, a government survey measuring system preparedness in terms of governance; legislation; public budget; financing mechanisms; regulations and standards; collaborations and initiatives; service provision coverage; workforce availability; and training.
As of December 2021, data have been collected from national and subnational representative populations surveys in 29 countries, and 70 countries contributed data to the progress indicators.
Key figures
Global need
2.5 billion
people are in need of assistive products
Older people
2 in 3
of the people aged 60 years and older need at least one assistive product
Legislation
62 out of 70
countries have legislation on assistive technology
- The need for assistive products is expected to grow to over 3.5 billion people by 2050.
- Large gaps in service provision and trained workforce for assistive technology were reported from many countries, especially in the domains of cognition, communication, and self care.
- 63 out of 70 countries have measures to cover users’ assistive technology costs fully or partly.
Summary data for the progress indicators, by country
GHO ASSISTIVETECH XTABLE TEMPLATE M COUNTRY 1x1 TIME x IND
Gathering global data
Loading report
Assistive technology indicators
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Prevalence of use of assistive products (%) -
Prevalence of need of assistive products (%)
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Prevalence of met need of assistive products (%)
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Barriers to accessing assistive products (%)
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Sources of assistive products (%)
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Funding for assistive products (%)
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Travel distance to obtain assistive products (%)
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Satisfaction with assistive products for different environments and activities (%)
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Satisfaction with assistive products and related services (%)
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Existence of legislation on access to assistive technology
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Coverage of people in need of assistive technology by a national or other legislation(s)
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Availability of public funding for assistive technology
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Existence of responsible ministry/authority on assistive technology
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Availability of government/registered services for assistive technology
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Workforce availability for assistive technology
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Availability of education/training for assistive technology
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Existence of financial mechanisms for assistive technology
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Existence of regulations/standards/guidelines/protocols on assistive technology
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Existence of initiatives/collaborations on assistive technology
Publications
The 71st World Health Assembly (WHA) adopted resolution WHA71.8 on 26 May 2018. It urges all Member States to take action to improve access to assistive...
14 June 2021
rapid Assistive Technology Assessment tool (rATA)
This population-based survey tool should be used only for rapid mapping of need, demand, supply, and user satisfaction with Assistive TechnologyAvailable...
More assistive technology data products