Global Disability Summit Side Event: Shifting the investment paradigm, the power of AT innovation

Exploring the transformative potential of new innovation initiatives to get AT to people globally

About this event

Join Global Disability Innovation Hub (GDI Hub) and an expert panel to explore the role of assistive technology innovation and its power to transform lives.

Taking examples of what works from a range of organisations and major global programmes, this Global Disability Summit 2022 side event will look at the transformative potential of innovation initiatives from technology accelerators to impact funds in helping to get more AT to people globally.

The importance of access to suitable and affordable AT is well documented - reaching every corner of an individual's life and livelihood - but the question of getting AT to the people that need it remains critical.

We'll discuss the economic case for investing in AT innovation, the importance of funding into the ecosystem, of building partnerships across governments, decision makers, manufacturers and distributors alongside novel financing mechanisms for AT provision

The panel includes;

• Cathy Holloway, Global Disability Innovation Hub & AT2030 - turning market failure into opportunity by supporting the most promising AT ventures in Africa
• Pascal Bijleveld, ATscale - on the role of AT investment in enabling innovation and breaking down barriers to access
• Lea Simpson, Brink & Michelle Hassan, Catalyst Fund - investing in AT innovators and pioneers with catalytic capital and expert-led venture-building
• Bernard Chiira, Innovate Now, AMref & GDI Hub - Africa’s first Assistive Technology Accelerator based in Kenya
• Prateek Madhav, AssisTech Foundation (ATF) - who incubate and nurture early stage ideas into market ready AT
• Remarkable, an Australian accelerator supporting tech start-ups that enable human potential

The potential for disability innovation as an investment opportunity, and disability inclusion as a lens on investment at large is vast, and yet globally it remains a significantly under-filled gap. We'll look at how it is increasingly possible for mass local production mechanisms to replace mass distribution as a provision system for AT, and such a shift allows for local manufacturing and increased employment, whilst creating further economic growth through increased inclusion of people with disabilities.

Catch up