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Organizations

Assistive technology organizations

Globally, many organizations contribute to expanding access to quality assistive technology.   
This page highlights a selection of key organizations that: 

  • Fund or implement assistive technology programmes
  • Serve as member organizations or professional associations, or
  • Provide training resources for assistive technology globally

This is not an exhaustive list of all organizations involved in assistive technology.

Showing 1 - 10 of 31
Organizations are listed in alphabetical order.
Name of Organization Role (As per organization's own description) Website Link
Asia Development Bank (ADB)

Asian Development Bank is a multilateral development bank supporting inclusive, resilient, and sustainable growth across Asia and the Pacific. Working with its members and partners to solve complex challenges together, ADB harnesses innovative financial tools and strategic partnerships to transform lives, build quality infrastructure, and safeguard our planet.

The Asian Development Bank  promotes assistive technology through partnerships and projects to enhance the financial inclusion, education, and employment of people with disabilities in Asia and the Pacific. Initiatives include developing strategic tools for banks, sharing knowledge on inclusive design, and supporting digitalization to create a more inclusive future where technology breaks down barriers for people with disabilities. 

ATscale the Global Partnership for Assistive Technology

ATscale is a cross-sector global partnership working to transform access to assistive technology (AT) worldwide. Hosted by UNOPS, ATscale brings together governments, donors, UN agencies, civil society, and the private sector to catalyze political will, investment, and catalyzes action to ensure that, by 2030, an additional 500 million people in low-and middle-income countries get the life-changing AT they need.

CBM (Christian Blind Mission)

Christian Blind Mission (CBM) is a Christian international development organisation devoted to improving the lives of people with disabilities in the poorest places on earth. Poverty and disability go hand in hand, creating a cycle of inequality, isolation and exclusion that leads to the most extreme forms of poverty. CBM uses assistive technology to improve the lives of people with disabilities, focusing on both high-tech and low-tech solutions. 

Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI)

The Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) is a global health organization that operates at the nexus of government, business, and health. Our approach hinges on our trusted relationships with governments to drive change across entire health systems. CHAI has a robust assistive technology programme that focuses on creating sustainable market systems to increase the availability, affordability, and quality of assistive products in low- and middle-income countries.

Fred Hollows Foundation

The Fred Hollows Foundation is an international development organisation with a very clear purpose: to make sure everyone, whether they’re rich or poor, has access to high quality, affordable eye health care.

HelpAge

HelpAge International’s goal is to improve the lives of older women and men in low- and middle-income countries, especially those in crisis-prone and insecure areas. HelpAge’s mission is to empower older people to lead dignified, active, and healthy lives.  
HelpAge International works to improve access to assistive technology (like glasses, hearing aids, and mobility aids) for older people and people with disabilities worldwide, as part of a global network of over 170 local partner organizations. 
 

Humanity and inclusion (HI)

Humanity & Inclusion (HI), formerly known as Handicap International, is an independent and impartial international non-governmental organization (NGO) dedicated to supporting people with disabilities and other vulnerable populations in situations of poverty, exclusion, conflict, and disaster.

International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)

The International Committee of the Red Cross is an impartial, neutral and independent organization whose exclusively humanitarian mission is to protect the lives and dignity of victims of armed conflict and other situations of violence and to provide them with assistance. The ICRC also endeavours to prevent suffering by promoting and strengthening humanitarian law and universal humanitarian principles.

The rehabilitation programme was founded in 1979. A leader in the field, ICRC have developed high-quality assistive and mobility devices at low cost. ICRC aims to restore and enhance not only the person’s ability to physically perform daily tasks, but their sense of independence as well.

International Labour Organization (ILO)

International Labour Organization (ILO) is devoted to promoting social justice and internationally recognized human and labour rights, pursuing its founding mission that social justice is essential to universal and lasting peace. ILO uses assistive technology as a key tool in its broader strategy to promote disability inclusion and expand employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. The ILO's work focuses on both the promotion of technological innovations and the creation of enabling environments through policy and employer engagement.

International Organization for Migration (IOM)

IOM is part of the United Nations System and stands as the leading intergovernmental organization in the field of migration. IOM’s work encompasses assisting vulnerable migrants, including those with disabilities.

Showing 1 - 10 of 11
Organizations are listed in alphabetical order.
Name of Organization Role (As per organization's own description) Website Link
EASTIN- The Global Assistive Technology Information Network

EASTIN is a network of national organizations, specialized in disseminating information in the field of assistive technology. EASTIN owns the EASTIN search engine, which offers free online access to information on thousands of assistive products from databases hosted by EASTIN members.

Global Alliance of Assistive Technology Organizations (GAATO)

GAATO is a non-profit association of legally established membership organizations furthering AT around the world. GAATO’s mission is to advance the field of assistive technology and rehabilitation engineering to benefit people with disabilities and functional limitations of all ages. As global alliance members GAATO are committed to working towards equitable and reliable access to assistive technology through collaborative research, policy advocacy, education and awareness raising.

Global Disability Innovation Hub (GDI Hub)

Global Disability Innovation Hub accelerates ideas into impact for a more just world - for persons with disabilities, and all people. GDI Hub has developed:

International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB)

The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness is the overarching alliance for the global eye health sector, with more than 250 organisations in over 100 countries working for the prevention of blindness and vision impairment.

International Disability Alliance (IDA)

IDA is an Alliance of 14 global and regional organisations of persons with disabilities. IDA advocates at the United Nations for a more inclusive global environment for everyone. IDA is a founding member of the ATscale Board.

International Society for Physical Rehabilitation Medicine (ISPRM)

The International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (ISPRM) serves as the global agency for Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (PRM). As a non-governmental organization, as an international umbrella organization of PRM physicians, and as a catalyst for international PRM research, ISPRM has a humanitarian or civil societal, a professional, and a scientific mandate.

International Society of Prosthetics and Orthotics (ISPO)

ISPO is a global, multidisciplinary, non-governmental organisation aiming to improve the quality of life for persons who may benefit from prosthetic, orthotic, mobility, and assistive devices. ISPO provides an effective platform for the exchange and communication on all aspects of the science, practice, and education associated with the provision of prosthetic and orthotic care, rehabilitation engineering, wheelchairs and therapy, and related areas.

International Society of Wheelchair Professionals (ISWP)

The International Society of Wheelchair Professionals (ISWP) was established in 2015 to address the global need for appropriate wheelchairs and related services. With over 80 million people worldwide requiring wheelchairs for mobility and function, many still lack access to suitable equipment and support.

Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA)

RESNA is the premier professional membership organization dedicated to promoting the health and well-being of people with disabilities through increasing access to technology solutions.RESNA advances the field by offering certification, continuing education, and professional development; developing assistive technology standards; promoting research and public policy; and sponsoring forums for the exchange of information and ideas to meet the needs of our multidisciplinary constituency.

World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT)

WFOT is the official international organisation representing the occupational therapy profession. WFOT sets the standard for occupational therapy education internationally and promotes excellence in research and practice.

Showing 1 - 2 of 2
Organizations are listed in alphabetical order.
Name of Organization Role (As per organization's own description) Website Link
Physiopedia

Physiopedia is a charity registered in the United Kingdom that provides an evidence-based and continually updating knowledge resource that is free for anyone to access. The Physiopedia website is the world's largest rehabilitation knowledge resource and is used by people throughout the world.

WHO Academy

The WHO Academy hosts Learning on TAP (TAP for short), a WHO blended learning resource consisting of modular courses on a range of health topics including assistive technology and sensory functions (eyes and ears). The primary target audiences for TAP are primary care and community-level personnel. The assistive technology course teaches identification, referral and provision of selected assistive products for cognition, communication, hearing, mobility, self-care and vision. It also has modules for emergency contexts.