Assistive technology policy: a position paper from the first global research, innovation, and education on assistive technology (GREAT) summit

Figures & data

Table 1. Definitions of assistive products, assistive technology systems and social exclusion.

An assistive product is “any product (including devices, equipment, instruments, and software), either specially designed and produced or generally available, whose primary purpose is to maintain or improve an individual’s functioning and independence and thereby promote their wellbeing” [1]. The term “assistive technology” is often used as a generic term.

Assistive technology systems refer to “the development and application of organized knowledge, skills, procedures, and policies relevant to the provision, use, and assessment of assistive products” [1]. This therefore includes training in the use of assistive technology and other infrastructure and technologies, such as ICT, that promote the effectiveness of assistive technology.

Social exclusion is "…a complex and multi-dimensional process… [which] involves the lack or denial of resources, rights, goods and services, and the inability to participate in the normal relationships and activities, available to the majority of people in a society, whether in economic, social, cultural or political arenas. It affects both the quality of life of individuals and the equity and cohesion of society as a whole” [2].

Table 2. Defining and differentiating policies, strategies and action plans.

Policy is a set of principles adopted or proposed by a government, party, business, or individual. It provides the ‘What and Why’ of a course of action. A policy might for instance be based on principles of equity, social justice, or entrepreneurship and mandate equitable access to specific services or products.

Strategy provides a map for how policy can be enacted, a blueprint for how to proceed – it provides the ‘How’ of a course of action. This may include defining specific goals, analyzing the situation, identifying barriers, specifying deliverables, or envisaging future scenarios.

Action Plans indicate the way in which strategy will be enacted, they zoom in on the detail of the action – they address the “Whom, When and Where”

Figure 1. Components of the policy process (reproduced by permission [21]).

Figure 2. A schematic representation of Assistive Technology System gaps. ¹Note this bar chart is not to scale – globally the number of assistive products needed far exceeds those available; sometimes by a ratio of 10 or more to one, and this is patterned by socioeconomic factors, marginalization and so on.

Table 3. Some attributes of the Norwegian Assistive Technology System (see [26]).

• Norway has 5.2 million inhabitants, of which approximately 20% (as of 2015) live in rural areas (see: http://www.indexmundi.com/facts/norway/rural-population).

• 138,150 users received one or several assistive products from the AT centres. They constituted 2.7% of the population

• 56.6% of the users were women

• 64.1% of the users were 67 years of age and older

• 11.4% of the users were 18 years of age or younger

• 2,240 US dollars per user or 60 US dollars per inhabitant were spent on assistive products

• 37,190 ordinary repairs of the assistive products were performed. 81.0% of these were performed by technicians at the AT centre (78.0%) or by dealers (22.0%)

• 78.0% of the assistive products were delivered within the target of 3 weeks of assessment.

Table 4. Possible elements of, facilitators for and barriers to, the development of national assistive technology policies.

Elements: Affordability, Financing, Supply Systems, Regulation & Quality Assurance, Rational Use, Research & Innovation, Human Resources, Monitoring & Evaluation, Governance

Barriers: Conceptual, Capacity, Civil Society, Financing, Geography, Governance, Human Resources, Rationale Use, Supply Systems

Facilitators: Civil society, Country Context, Political Will, Strong Partner Landscapes.

Figure 3. The Norwegian Assistive Technology System model: 18 Assistive Technology Centres, one in each county, cooperate closely with the health care and rehabilitation services at the municipal level.

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