Appolonia Adeyemi 
The First Lady of Pakistan, Begum Samina Arif Alvi has called for urgent action to improve access to assistive technology for the 2.5 billion people who today need at least one form of assistive technology around the world. She made the call on Tuesday at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland where it was also highlighted that only 10 per cent of people in low-in- come countries can access the assistive technology they need, compared to 90 per cent in high-income countries. The campaign, titled ‘Unlock the Everyday’, is the first ever global campaign on assistive technology and aims to raise awareness of everyone’s right to assistive technology – such as wheelchairs, glasses, hearing aids, prostheses and digital devices – no matter where they live, or their income.
It is estimated that 2.5 billion people today need at least one form of assistive technology and most people will require assistive technology at some point in their lifetime. The campaign is calling for global action to address this inequity. Without access to appropriate assistive products, millions of people are prevented from earning a living, gaining an education or living independent and fulfilled lives, further compounding existing social and economic inequalities. Alvi is encouraging global leaders to support the campaign and prioritise assistive technology: “Assistive Technology is a bridge that connects individuals with disabilities, ageing populations, and those suffering from non-communicable diseases to a world of opportunities – opportunities for education, employment, and above all, inclusion in society.
“It is vital to focus on enhancing the affordability and accessibility of high- quality Assistive Technology, ensuring that individuals from diverse socio-economic backgrounds can equally benefit from these advancements. “As a key driver in achieving numerous Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this initiative is essential to ensure inclusivity in our path towards 2030. Yet, we have a long road ahead in our journey towards full inclusion. I urge global leaders to prioritise the integration of assistive technology into their national plans and SDG strategies. Let’s work together to build a more inclusive world where no one is left behind!” Launched by global partnership ATscale, in collaboration with the World Health Organisation, UNICEF and the International Disability Alliance, amongst other partners, the Unlock the Everyday campaign has already been endorsed by various leaders in the global development and private sectors.
Research from ATscale shows that for every dollar invested in assistive technology, a $9 return can be expected through improved educational outcomes, better paid employment and high productivity among adults and lower longer-term healthcare costs. However, despite this significant re- turn on investment, a vast funding gap remains, which the campaign aims to highlight and address. To ensure lifetime access to appropriate assistive technology for all people needing it in low- and middle-income countries today would cost approximately USD 700 billion over 55 years. Pascal Bijleveld, CEO of ATscale, said: “Despite having the power to unlock potential and transform lives, assistive technology has historically been under- resourced and under invested in – leading to the shocking inequity in access and huge funding gap we have today.
This simply cannot go on. Not only will improving access improve the lives of millions of people, it is key to accelerating progress towards the UN’s 2030 SDGs, which all UN member states are committed to.” Unlock the Everyday was launched at a high-level panel event in Davos, on the sidelines of the 2024 World Economic Forum. As well as the First Lady of Pakistan, other panellists, representing organisations supporting the campaign, included: Pascal Bijleveld, CEO of ATscale, the Global Partnership for Assistive Technology; Leopoldine Huyghues Despointes, Filmmaker & Global Expert and Ad- vocate on Disability Rights; Caroline Casey, Founder of The Valuable 500; and President of the International Agency for Prevention of Blindness, Professor Gilles Carbonnier, among others. Panellists discussed not only the im- portance of improving access to assistive technology, but crucially, the role that policymakers, the private sector and those working in the health and development sectors can play in bringing about change.
