Improving access to Assistive Technology

People

In all interventions, involving users—and their families—is crucial to fully realize the vision and mission of WHO’s GATE initiative. A user-centred approach is critical to make sure that users’ needs are addressed when developing policies and provision services. Services should not just be physically accessible but also culturally appropriate and tailored to users’ needs. WHO not only promotes a user-centred approach but also works closely with users and user groups.

Policy

WHO is developing tools to support countries in developing national policies and programmes to ensure everyone can access assistive products everywhere. The toolkit helps countries collect data to inform decisions for policy and programme design, raise awareness of the need and impact of assistive technology, and galvanize political support and resources for assistive technology. It will also include guidance on the implementation of the Priority Assistive Products List, minimum standards, appropriate training, and service provision. In addition, in 202 WHO published a policy brief to highlight key challenges in ensuring equitable access to assistive technology and provide concrete actions to improve access.

Products

In May 2016, WHO launched the Priority Assistive Products List (APL), which includes a list of a minimum of 50 products selected based on widespread need and impact on people’s lives. The APL encourages countries to develop a list of national priority products and is a guide to enhance production, procurement, and service provision, develop reimbursement policies, and shape markets. In 2021 WHO has created the Assistive Products Specifications (APS) a guidebook with specs for 26 prioritized assistive products that describes the minimum quality requirements for manufacturing, to ensure countries get a supply of good quality and affordable assistive products for all who need them.

Provision

WHO is developing guidance on innovative models of service provision, including good-practice examples from across the globe. Fundamental components include the integration of assistive products service provision into the health system and a network of specialist referral centres connected to the primary health care infrastructure. This would enable most people to access assistive products for all their functional needs from a single point and would support universal access and early intervention.

Personnel