WHO and UNICEF a report hat revealed that more than 2.5 billion children and adult need one or more assistive devices such as wheelchair ,hearing aids or apps that support communication and cognition.
As report says, one billion of ythem are denied access mainly in low and middle class income countries where affordability of these assistive devices are vry low.
Assistive devices for disabled people are life changing things, it's like opening new world for them,and they open door for their interaction and integration in societies ,create new world of opportunities and provide independent life of dignity
WHO Chief Dr Tedros said : Denying people access to these life changing tools is not only an infringement of human rights, its economically shortsighted, he continued that they call call all countries to fund and priotize access to assistive technology and give everyone a chance to live up to their potentila.
This Report revealed that the number of assistive device needed will be increased in 2050 to 3.5 billion due t population ageing ,and highly prevalence of of non communicable disease. across the world
An analysis done in 35 countries found that access varies from 3% in poor nations to 90% in wealthy countries.
Disabilities in many societies and culture are accompanied by social stigma ,to be see as unimportant ad useless people but with assistive devices people resume some activities and live like others without much difficulties.
This report says that affordability is a major barrier to access ,Around two thirds of people with assistive products reported out of pocket payments for them ,others relies on their family for their survival.
A survey of 70 countries featured in the report found gaps in service provisions and trained workforce for assistive technology especially in the domain of cognition ,communications, and self-care.
Assistive Products are generally considered a means to participate in community life and wider society on an equal footing with others without them ,people suffer exclusion ,are at risk of isolation ,live in poverty ,may face hunger ,and be forced to depend more on family ,community and government support.
This report says that there many benefits of using these assistive devices including improving health, well being participation and inclusion of individual users, enlarging access to quality -assured ,safe and affordable assistive products leads to reduced health and welfare costs such as hospital admissions