Assistive Technology: assessing and building capacity to deliver for persons with disabilities (COSP19 Side Event)

Assistive technology (AT) encompasses assistive products and their related systems and services. Assistive products include a broad spectrum of devices that enable function and ensure quality access and use - including simple products such as walking aids and reading glasses through to more complex products such as wheelchairs, low-vision aids and digital communication aids.

Timely and consistent access to assistive technology throughout the lives of persons with disabilities can have a transformative impact in enhancing participation, inclusion, health and well-being, making it a key enabling factor in ensuring that the rights set out in the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) are realised.

The CRPD obliges States to take effective measures in ensuring access to assistive technology for persons with disabilities, including by making them available at affordable cost (Article 20), for education purposes (Article 24) and for work and employment (Article 27).

The Objectives of this side event are:

To share country experiences and best practises of using the assistive technology Data Toolkit, including key findings and lessons learned.

To explore how the toolkit can support CRPD implementation by informing policy, planning and action towards improved access to assistive technology.

To highlight the importance of obtaining the lived experiences of persons with disabilities in data collection and in informing effective assistive technology solutions.