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

Author

Listed:
  • 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
    Occupational Therapy Department, 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)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Natasha Layton & Daniel Mont & Louise Puli & Irene Calvo & Kylie Shae & Emma Tebbutt & Keith D. Hill & Libby Callaway & Diana Hiscock & Abner Manlapaz & Inge Groenewegen & Mahpekai Sidiqi, 2021. "Access to Assistive Technology during the COVID-19 Global Pandemic: Voices of Users and Families," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-23, October.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:21:p:11273-:d:665806
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Louise Puli & Natasha Layton & Daniel Mont & Kylie Shae & Irene Calvo & Keith D. Hill & Libby Callaway & Emma Tebbutt & Abner Manlapaz & Inge Groenewegen & Diana Hiscock, 2021. "Assistive Technology Provider Experiences during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-20, October.
    2. Nora Groce & Maria Kett & Raymond Lang & Jean-Francois Trani, 2011. "Disability and Poverty: the need for a more nuanced understanding of implications for development policy and practice," Third World Quarterly, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 32(8), pages 1493-1513.
    3. Malcolm MacLachlan & Joanne McVeigh & Michael Cooke & Delia Ferri & Catherine Holloway & Victoria Austin & Dena Javadi, 2018. "Intersections Between Systems Thinking and Market Shaping for Assistive Technology: The SMART (Systems-Market for Assistive and Related Technologies) Thinking Matrix," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-15, November.
    4. Silvia Faccioli & Francesco Lombardi & Pierantonio Bellini & Stefania Costi & Silvia Sassi & Maria Cristina Pesci, 2021. "How Did Italian Adolescents with Disability and Parents Deal with the COVID-19 Emergency?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-13, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Daniel Mont & Natasha Layton & Louise Puli & Shivani Gupta & Abner Manlapaz & Kylie Shae & Emma Tebbutt & Irene Calvo & Mahpekay Sidiqy & Kudakwashe Dube & Ulamila Kacilala, 2021. "Assistive Technology during the COVID-19 Global Pandemic: The Roles of Government and Civil Society in Fulfilling the Social Contract," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-15, November.

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