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Assistive Technology
The Official Journal of RESNA
Volume 33, 2021 - Issue sup1: Companion Papers to the Global Report on Assistive Technology
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Research Article

A review of innovation strategies and processes to improve access to AT: Looking ahead to open innovation ecosystems

Catherine Hollowaya UCL Interaction Centre, Department of Computer Science, University College London, London, UK;b Global Disability Innovation Hub, London, UKCorrespondence[email protected]
ORCID Iconhttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-7843-232XView further author information
, PhDORCID Icon,
Dafne Zuleima Morgado Ramireza UCL Interaction Centre, Department of Computer Science, University College London, London, UK;b Global Disability Innovation Hub, London, UKORCID Iconhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-0320-7301View further author information
, PhDORCID Icon,
Tigmanshu Bhatnagara UCL Interaction Centre, Department of Computer Science, University College London, London, UK;b Global Disability Innovation Hub, London, UKView further author information
, MSc,
Ben Oldfreyb Global Disability Innovation Hub, London, UK;c Institute of Making, University College London, London, UKView further author information
, PhD,
Priya Morjariab Global Disability Innovation Hub, London, UK;d International Centre for Eye Health (ICEH), London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UKORCID Iconhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-1648-1948View further author information
, PhDORCID Icon,
Soikat Ghosh Moulice Rehabilitation Research & Training Centre, Mobility India, Bangalore, IndiaView further author information
, MBA,
Ikenna D. Ebuenyif Assisting Living & Learning (All) Institute, Department of Psychology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, IrelandORCID Iconhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-3329-6296View further author information
, MBBS, PhDORCID Icon,
Giulia Barbareschia UCL Interaction Centre, Department of Computer Science, University College London, London, UK;b Global Disability Innovation Hub, London, UKORCID Iconhttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-9036-3566View further author information
, PhDORCID Icon,
Fiona Meeksg Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Loughborough University London, London, UKView further author information
, PhD,
Jessica Massied International Centre for Eye Health (ICEH), London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UKView further author information
,
Felipe Ramos-Barajasa UCL Interaction Centre, Department of Computer Science, University College London, London, UK;b Global Disability Innovation Hub, London, UKORCID Iconhttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-8729-2971View further author information
, MPAORCID Icon,
Joanne McVeighf Assisting Living & Learning (All) Institute, Department of Psychology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, IrelandView further author information
,
Kyle Keaneh Sinha Lab, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USAView further author information
, PhD,
George Torrensi School of Design and Creative Arts, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UKORCID Iconhttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-5097-0484View further author information
, PhDORCID Icon,
P. V.M. Raoj Department of Design, IIT Delhi, New Delhi, IndiaView further author information
, PhD,
Malcolm MacLachlanf Assisting Living & Learning (All) Institute, Department of Psychology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, IrelandORCID Iconhttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-6672-9206View further author information
ORCID Icon,
Victoria Austina UCL Interaction Centre, Department of Computer Science, University College London, London, UK;b Global Disability Innovation Hub, London, UKView further author information
, MSc,
Rainer Kattelk Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose, University College London, London, UKORCID Iconhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-0963-394XView further author information
, PhDORCID Icon,
Cheryl D Metcalfl School of Health Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UKView further author information
, PhD &
Srinivasan Sujatham TTK Center for Rehabilitation Research and Device Development (R2d2), Department of Mechanical Engineering, Iit Madras, Chennai, IndiaORCID Iconhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-3456-1220View further author information
, PhDORCID Icon show all
Pages 68-86 | Accepted 16 Aug 2021, Published online: 24 Dec 2021
 
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ABSTRACT

It is essential to understand the strategies and processes which are deployed currently across the Assistive Technology (AT) space toward measuring innovation. The main aim of this paper is to identify functional innovation strategies and processes which are being or can be deployed in the AT space to increase access to AT globally. We conducted a scoping review of innovation strategies and processes in peer-reviewed literature databases and complemented this by identifying case studies demonstrating innovation strategies. The review includes WHO world region, publication year, AT type and a sector analysis against the Systems-Market for Assistive and Related Technologies Framework. We analyzed the case studies and interviews using thematic analysis. We included 91 papers out of 3,127 after review along with 72 case studies. Our results showed that product innovations were more prevalent than provision or supply innovations across papers and case studies. Case studies yielded two themes: open innovation (OI); radical and disruptive innovation. Financial instruments which encourage OI are needed and we recommend pursuing OI for AT innovation. Embedding AT within larger societal missions will be key to success governments and investors need to understand what AT is and their translational socioeconomic value.

Acknowledgments

We would like to acknowledge all contributors to our global call for case studies in giving their time to share their knowledge and expertise.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, UK Government [Project Number: 300815 (previously 201879-108)].
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