A description of assistive technology sources, services and outcomes of use in a number of African settings

Abstract

Although there is variation between the study settings, the main impression is that of fragmented or absent systems of provision of assistive technology. Implications for rehabilitation Provision of assistive technology and services varied between countries, but the overall impression was of poor provision and fragmented services. The limited provision of assistive technology for personal care and handling products is of concern as many of these devices requires little training and ongoing support while they can make big functional differences. Rural respondents experienced more difficulties when using the device and received less information on use and maintenance of the device than their urban counterparts. A lack of government responsibility for assistive device services correlated with a lack of information and/or training of participants and maintenance of devices.

Augmentative and alternative communication practices: a descriptive study of the perceptions of South African speech-language therapists

“…In Hong Kong, state funding reportedly covered only 26% of AAC devices provided in preschools (Siu et al, 2010). However, funding is typically even more challenging in developing countries ( (Borg, Larsson, & Östergren, 2011;Mukhopadhyay & Nwaogu, 2009;Visagie et al, 2016), and estimations suggest that only 5-15% of persons in need of assistive technology in developing countries actually receive it (World Health Organisation, 2017).…”

Access to assistive technology in two Southern African countries

“…Millions of people in Southern Africa are deprived of basic human rights such as the right to education and work because of the unmet demand for assistive technologies (AT) [ 1 , 2 ]. The World Report on Disability uses the following definition of AT; “Any item, piece of equipment or product system, whether acquired commercially, off-the-shelf, modified or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities” [ 3 ].…”

Assistive technology policy: a position paper from the first global research, innovation, and education on assistive technology (GREAT) summit

“…Our definition of social exclusion (Table 1) stresses the "lack or denial of resources, rights, goods and services, and the inability to participate" and goes on to state that this lack or denial of resources affects "equity and cohesion of society as a whole" [2]. Generally, in low-and middle-income countries (LMIC), the provision of assistive products is inadequate with poorly structured systems in place to aid service delivery [28,29]. We have found that policy development in such contextsand often in higher-income contexts toofrequently excludes its intended beneficiaries, and may indeed be undertaken by consultants unfamiliar with the country in question, and with reference points related to contexts with much greater resources.…”

“…Articles 4 and 26 of the Convention make it clear that ultimately, governments are responsible to ensure that appropriate assistive technology is available and affordable and that provision is made for users to be trained to use assistive products [29,31].…”

“…Recently both the South African National Departments of Health and Social Development have drawn from the CRPD to develop the white paper on disability and rehabilitation framework strategy. Both documents put emphasis on the importance of available and affordable assistive technology for persons with disabilities [32]. Yet other research in South Africa suggests that the failure to effectively implement the health and rehabilitation articles of the UNCRPD is largely due not only to negative attitudes in society in general [32] but also from government officials and service providers towards people with disabilities [33] and a rights-based approach.…”