GDI Hub Co-sponsors Assistive Technology Side Meeting at Conference of State Parties

Side event to the 11^thsession of the Conference of States Parties to the CRPD

New York, NY: On 13 June 2018, the Global Disability Innovation Hub (GDI Hub) joined CRPD signatory States and stakeholders in co-sponsoring a side event in New York City for the 11^thAnnual Conference of State Parties (COSP). The side event, hosted by the Permanent Missions of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ecuador and co-sponsored by UNICEF, WHO, IDA, and the GDI Hub, explored plans to radically disrupt the market for Assistive Technology (AT), so more people can access the Assistive Technology they need to participate fully in society.

Among the speakers calling for increased access to Assistive Technology were Anna Wechsberg, Director of Policy at the UK Department for International Development, Rocío González, Ecuador’s First Lady and President of the Interinstitutional Committee Toda una Vida, Volmir Raimondi, President of the Blind Union, Dr. Nata Menabde, Executive Director of the WHO Office at the UN, Ann Cody, Special Advisor and International Disability Rights Team Leader at the USDOS, Kristoffer Gandrup-Marino, Chief of Innovation at UNICEF, and Jenny Lay-Flurrie, Chief Accessibility Officer at Microsoft.

WHO estimates that over one billion, largely disabled and older people are currently in need of Assistive Technology. By 2050, this number is predicted to rise to two billion. It is estimated that, currently, 90% of the people who need access to Assistive Technology do not have it. Considering a largely fragmented, non-integrated, and underinvested Assistive Technology sector, GDI Hub is keen to work with partners to help address this access gap.