Access to Assistive Technology during the COVID-19 Global Pandemic: Voices of Users and Families

Natasha Layton, Daniel Mont, Louise Puli, Irene Calvo, Kylie Shae, Emma Tebbutt, Keith D. Hill, Libby Callaway, Diana Hiscock, Abner Manlapaz, Inge Groenewegen and Mahpekai Sidiqi
Additional contact information
Natasha Layton: Rehabilitation Ageing and Independent Living (RAIL) Research Centre, Monash University, Melbourne 3800, Australia
Daniel Mont: Center for Inclusive Policy, Washington, DC 20005, USA
Louise Puli: Access to Assistive Technology Team, World Health Organization, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
Irene Calvo: Access to Assistive Technology Team, World Health Organization, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
Kylie Shae: Access to Assistive Technology Team, World Health Organization, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
Emma Tebbutt: Access to Assistive Technology Team, World Health Organization, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
Keith D. Hill: Rehabilitation Ageing and Independent Living (RAIL) Research Centre, Monash University, Melbourne 3800, Australia
Libby Callaway: Rehabilitation Ageing and Independent Living (RAIL) Research Centre, Monash University, Melbourne 3800, Australia
Diana Hiscock: HelpAge International, London SE1 7RL, UK
Abner Manlapaz: Center for Inclusive Policy, Washington, DC 20005, USA
Inge Groenewegen: Liliane Foundation, 5211 TX ‘s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands
Mahpekai Sidiqi: Kabul Orthopedic Organization, Kabul 1001, Afghanistan

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 21, 1-23

Abstract: The SARS COVID-19 pandemic emerged in 2019 and has impacted people everywhere. Disparities in impact and outcomes are becoming apparent for individuals and communities which go beyond the trajectory of the disease itself, influenced by the strength and weaknesses of systems of universal health care, and the actions of civil society and government. This article is one of a series exploring COVID-19-related experiences of assistive technology (AT) users across the globe and implications for AT systems strengthening. AT such as mobility products, braille devices, and information communication technologies are key enablers of functioning, necessary to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Reporting on a survey of 73 AT users across six global regions, we demonstrate that minority groups already living with health inequities are unduly impacted. An AT ecosystem analysis was conducted using the WHO GATE 5P framework, that is, people, products, personnel, provision and policy. AT users and families call for inclusive pandemic responses which encompass their needs across the lifespan, from very young to very old. We offer specific recommendations for future action to strengthen access to AT across public policy and civil society in pandemic preparedness and response.

Keywords: assistive technology; policy; disability; ageing; assistive products; personnel; service provision; health systems; COVID-19; health workforce; universal health coverage (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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