Towards coherence across global initiatives in assistive technology

Figures & data

Figure 1. Assistive technology milestones since 2000.

Table 1. Major projects and initiatives.

Initiative	Description	Aims
AT2030^a	AT2030 will be the initial programme that helps to inform the work which ATscale is able to then take to ‘scale’. LOCATION: Global Disability Innovation Hub, London and University College London; with partners in UK, Ireland, Africa and Asia	Reach at least 3 million people; Catalyse at least 10 new disruptive technologies with potential for life-changing impact; Develop at least 6 innovative service delivery models; Spark 30–50 new start-ups; Develop and test new methodologies for market shaping on assistive technologies; Establish an East Africa AT Innovation Hub; Double DFID’s initial investment through partner backing; Use all of this to leverage resources from other stakeholders
ATScale^b	Global Partnership for Assistive Technology taking a supply and demand view of advances in assistive technology and accelerating access to innovations for those most in need. Location: Geneva-based, international reach	Develop an enabling environment for increased access to high-quality, affordable AT by growing political will, advocating for and informing policy reform, mobilising investment, and strengthening systems and service delivery at global, regional, and country levels; Identify interventions required to shape markets and overcome supply and demand-side barriers for priority’^c
China and the Belt and Road Initiative with its Assistive Technology Rollout [13] Location: China	Global development strategy adopted by the Chinese government in 2013 involving infrastructure development and investments. Location: In nearly 70 countries and international organizations in Asia, Europe, and Africa	To enhance regional connectivity implications for assistive technology [14]
Shapes: Smart and Healthy Ageing through People Engaging in Supportive Systems^d	To create, pilot and deploy a large-scale, EU-standardised open platform capable of integrating a broad range of assistive and digital technologies, along with organisational, clinical, educational and societal solutions that seek to facilitate long-term healthy and active ageing, and a good quality of life in people’s own home and in their own neighbourhood Location: Based at Maynooth University, Ireland; with 36 European partners including service users and providers, civil society, industry and researchers	Development and integration of assistive products, eHealth sensors and wearables, Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled devices and mobile applications. A network of relevant users and key stakeholders working together to scale-up Platform and digital solutions. Seeks to connect demand and supply across H&C delivery, and to facilitate the co-creation of affordable, effective and trustworthy solutions. Provide guidelines, a roadmap and an action plan, including a set of priorities dedicated to standardisation, to support key EU stakeholders to foster the large-scale deployment and adoption of digital solutions and new integrated care services in Europe.

a https://www.disabilityinnovation.com/at-2030

b https://atscale2030.org/overview/

c https://atscale2030.org/the-new-global-partnership

d https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/857159

Speech, opening ceremony – belt and road high-level event on disability cooperation, 14 September 2017 [Internet]. Beijing, China; 2017. Available from: https://www.itu.int/en/osg/dsg/speeches/Pages/2017-14-09.aspx.

 Google Scholar

Murphy F. Rise of a new superpower: health and China's global trade ambitions. BMJ. 2018;360:k595.

 Google Scholar