Natasha Layton1,2, Diane Bell3, Mary Ellen Buning4, Shih-Ching Chen5,6, Silvana Contepomi7, Vinicius Delgado Ramos8, Evert-Jan Hoogerwerf9,10, Takenobu Inoue11,12, Inhyuk Moon13, Nicky Seymour14, Roger O Smith4,9, Luc de Witte9,15. 1. ARATA (Australian Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology Association), Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. 2. RAIL (Rehabilitation, Ageing and Independent Living) Research Centre, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia. 3. Faculty of Business and Management Sciences, Cape Peninsula University, of Technology, Cape Town, South Africa. 4. RESNA (Rehabilitation Engineering Society of North America, Arlington, VA, USA). 5. TREATS (Taiwan Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society), Taipei City, Taiwan. 6. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University. 7. Argentine Association of Assistive Technology, San Isidro, Argentina. 8. Hospital das Clinicas, Faculdade de Medicina da USP, Sao Paulo, Brazil. 9. GAATO (Global Alliance of Assistive Technology Organisations), Linz, Austria. 10. AAATE (Association for the Advancement of Assistive Technology in Europe), Linz, Austria. 11. RESJA (Rehabilitation Engineering Society of Japan), Tokyo, Japan. 12. National Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities, Tokorozawa, Japan. 13. RESKO (Rehabilitation Engineering Society of Korea), Busan, Korea. 14. Motivation Africa, Cape Town, South Africa. 15. University of Sheffield, United Kingdom.
Abstract
Purpose: This paper describes international actions to collaborate in the assistive technology (AT) arena and provides an update of programmes supporting AT globally. Methods: The World Health Organisation (WHO) identifies the severe global uneven distribution of resources, expertise and extensive unmet need for AT, as well the optimistic substantial capability for innovations and developments in appropriate and sustainable AT design, development and delivery. Systems thinking and market shaping are identified as means to address these challenges and leverage the ingenuity and expertise of AT stakeholders. Results: This paper is a 'call to action', showcasing emerging AT networks as exemplars of a distributed, but integrated mechanism for addressing AT needs globally, and describing the Global Alliance of Assistive Technology Organisations (GAATO) as a vehicle to facilitate this global networking. Conclusion: Partners in this Global Alliance aim to advance the field of assistive technology by promoting shared research, policy advocacy, educating people and organisations within and outside the field, teaching, training and knowledge transfer by pulling together broad-based membership organisations.Implications for RehabilitationCollegial, cross discipline and multi-stakeholder collaborations support assistive technology research and practice.Knowledge exchange within and across countries and regions is mutually beneficial.Self-organising assistive technology communities are emerging and supported by global movements such as WHO GATE and GAATO.
Purpose: This paper describes international actions to collaborate in the assistive technology (AT) arena and provides an update of programmes supporting AT globally. Methods: The World Health Organisation (WHO) identifies the severe global uneven distribution of resources, expertise and extensive unmet need for AT, as well the optimistic substantial capability for innovations and developments in appropriate and sustainable AT design, development and delivery. Systems thinking and market shaping are identified as means to address these challenges and leverage the ingenuity and expertise of AT stakeholders. Results: This paper is a 'call to action', showcasing emerging AT networks as exemplars of a distributed, but integrated mechanism for addressing AT needs globally, and describing the Global Alliance of Assistive Technology Organisations (GAATO) as a vehicle to facilitate this global networking. Conclusion: Partners in this Global Alliance aim to advance the field of assistive technology by promoting shared research, policy advocacy, educating people and organisations within and outside the field, teaching, training and knowledge transfer by pulling together broad-based membership organisations.Implications for RehabilitationCollegial, cross discipline and multi-stakeholder collaborations support assistive technology research and practice.Knowledge exchange within and across countries and regions is mutually beneficial.Self-organising assistive technology communities are emerging and supported by global movements such as WHO GATE and GAATO.
Entities:
Keywords:
Collaboration; assistive technology; innovation; sustainability; systems