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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 11 - 20 of 31
Organizations are listed in alphabetical order.
Name of Organization Role (As per organization's own description) Website Link
International Standards Organization (ISO)

ISO is an independent, non-governmental international organization. It brings global experts together to agree on the best ways of doing things. From quality management to AI, our mission is to make lives easier, safer and better – for everyone, everywhere. ISO develops standards for assistive technology, with the primary standard being ISO 9999, which provides a classification and terminology for assistive products. The ISO also develops general requirements and test methods through standards like ISO 21856:2022. These standards aim to ensure products are safe, reliable, and functional, improving the quality of life for users and decreasing production costs for manufacturers.

International Telecommunication Union (ITU)

As the United Nations specialized agency for digital technologies, ITU works towards harnessing innovation and connecting everyone to ensure a better future for all. ​​​ITU works to increase access to information and communication technologies (ICTs) for persons with disabilities: by raising awareness of their right to access telecommunications/ICTs; mainstreaming accessibility in the development of international telecommunications/ICT standards; and providing education and training on key accessibility issues.

Latter-day Saint Charities

Latter-day Saint Charities, is the humanitarian arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Through volunteer service, collaborations with organizations, and donations, the Church provides worldwide aid and service to all of God’s children with the hope of building self-reliance. Latter-day Saint Charities provides wheelchairs to people in need.

Light for the world

Light for the World is an international disability and development NGO that works to create an inclusive society by 
improving eye health systems and amplifying the voices of people with disabilities.  Light for the World collaborates with local partners to implement sustainable programs that empower individuals and communities.
 

Liliane Fonds

The Liliane Fonds Foundation is an organisation that offers individual, tailor-made support to an increasing number of children with disabilities in the poorest countries of the world. The Liliane Fonds Foundation dreams of a world in which children and young people with a disability are equal and can participate in society to the best of their abilities. Together with local Partner Organisations in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, they make children’s living, playing, and learning environment more accessible. 

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international, independent medical humanitarian organisation, that provides medical assistance to people affected by conflict, epidemics, disasters, or exclusion from healthcare. 
 

MiracleFeet

MiracleFeet is a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing access to proper treatment for children born with congenital talipes equino-varus (clubfoot) in low- and middle-income countries through partnerships with local healthcare providers.

Mobility India (MI)

Mobility India is a South Asia-based institution leading in Prosthetics and Orthotics workforce development offering diploma, bachelor's, and master's programs as well as training in rehabilitation and wheelchair services.

Momentum for Humanity

Momentum Wheels for Humanity is a non-governmental organization working to promote greater inclusion for people with disabilities globally, through mobility, therapy, advocacy, and empowerment. 

Motivation

Motivation is an international development charity and social enterprise with over thirty-years of experience in wheelchair design, provision and related services, supporting mobility and independence. 

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.