Organizations
Assistive technology organizations
Globally, many organizations contribute to expanding access to quality assistive technology.
This page highlights a selection of key organizations that:
- Fund or implement assistive technology programmes
- Serve as member organizations or professional associations, or
- Provide training resources for assistive technology globally
This is not an exhaustive list of all organizations involved in assistive technology.
| Name of Organization | Role (As per organization's own description) | Website Link |
|---|---|---|
| World Health Organization Access to Assistive Technology programme |
WHO is taking measures to address the global disparity in access to assistive technology, developing normative guidance and providing technical support to Member States to support them in implementing the 2018 World Health Assembly Resolution on Improving Access to Assistive Technology (WHA71.8). |
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/assistive-technology |
| World Health Organization Ear and Hearing Care programme |
The work of WHO’s programme for ear and hearing care is guided by World Health Assembly resolution WHA70.13 (2017) on Prevention of deafness and hearing loss, and the WHO World report on hearing, 2021. |
https://www.who.int/teams/noncommunicable-diseases/sensory-functions-disability… |
| World Health Organization Eye care, Vision impairment and Blindness programme |
The work of WHO’s Eye care, vision impairment and blindness programme is guided by World Health Assembly resolution WHA73.4 ’Integrated, people-centred eye care’, and the recommendations of the WHO World report on vision (2019). The strategic recommendations and technical tools provided by WHO aim to assist Member States and their partners in reducing the burden of eye conditions and vision impairment while working towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). |
https://www.who.int/teams/noncommunicable-diseases/sensory-functions-disability… |
| World Health Organization Rehabilitation programme |
WHO’s work is guided by the resolution on Strengthening rehabilitation in health systems adopted at the Seventy-sixth World Health Assembly implemented through the Rehabilitation 2030 initiative as requested by the resolution |
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/rehabilitation |
| World Vision International |
World Vision is an international partnership of Christians whose mission is to “follow our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in working with the poor and oppressed to promote human transformation, seek justice and bear witness to the good news of the Kingdom of God”. |
http://wvi.org/ |
| Name of Organization | Role (As per organization's own description) | Website Link |
|---|---|---|
| EASTIN- The Global Assistive Technology Information Network |
EASTIN is a network of national organizations, specialized in disseminating information in the field of assistive technology. |
https://www.eastin.eu/en/whatiseastin/index |
| Global Alliance of Assistive Technology Organizations (GAATO) |
GAATO’s mission is to advance the field of assistive technology and rehabilitation engineering to benefit people with disabilities and functional limitations of all ages. As global alliance members GAATO are committed to working towards equitable and reliable access to assistive technology through collaborative research, policy advocacy, education and awareness raising. |
https://www.gaato.org/ |
| Global Disability Innovation Hub (GDI Hub) |
Global Disability Innovation Hub accelerates ideas into impact for a more just world - for disabled people, and all people. |
https://www.disabilityinnovation.com/ |
| International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) |
The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness is the overarching alliance for the global eye health sector, with more than 250 organisations in over 100 countries working for the prevention of blindness and vision impairment. |
https://www.iapb.org/ |
| International Disability Alliance (IDA) |
IDA is an Alliance of 14 global and regional organisations of persons with disabilities. IDA advocates at the United Nations for a more inclusive global environment for everyone. |
https://www.internationaldisabilityalliance.org/ |
| International Society for Physical Rehabilitation Medicine (ISPRM) |
The International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (ISPRM) serves as the global agency for Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (PRM). As a non-governmental organization, as an international umbrella organization of PRM physicians, and as a catalyst for international PRM research, ISPRM has a humanitarian or civil societal, a professional, and a scientific mandate. |
https://isprm.org/ |
| International Society of Prosthetics and Orthotics (ISPO) |
ISPO is a global, multidisciplinary, non-governmental organisation aiming to improve the quality of life for persons who may benefit from prosthetic, orthotic, mobility, and assistive devices. ISPO provides an effective platform for the exchange and communication on all aspects of the science, practice, and education associated with the provision of prosthetic and orthotic care, rehabilitation engineering, wheelchairs and therapy, and related areas. |
https://www.ispoint.org/ |
| International Society of Wheelchair Professionals (ISWP) |
The International Society of Wheelchair Professionals (ISWP) was established in 2015 to address the global need for appropriate wheelchairs and related services. With over 80 million people worldwide requiring wheelchairs for mobility and function, many still lack access to suitable equipment and support. |
https://iswp.org/ |
| Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) |
RESNA is the premier professional membership organization dedicated to promoting the health and well-being of people with disabilities through increasing access to technology solutions.RESNA advances the field by offering certification, continuing education, and professional development; developing assistive technology standards; promoting research and public policy; and sponsoring forums for the exchange of information and ideas to meet the needs of our multidisciplinary constituency. |
https://www.resna.org/ |
| World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) |
WFOT is the official international organisation representing the occupational therapy profession. WFOT sets the standard for occupational therapy education internationally and promotes excellence in research and practice. |
https://wfot.org/ |
| Name of Organization | Role (As per organization's own description) | Website Link |
|---|---|---|
| Physiopedia |
Physiopedia is a charity registered in the United Kingdom that provides an evidence-based and continually updating knowledge resource that is free for anyone to access. The Physiopedia website is the world's largest rehabilitation knowledge resource and is used by people throughout the world. |
https://www.physio-pedia.com/ |
| Training in Assistive Products (TAP) |
WHO's online Training in assistive products (TAP) is designed to prepare primary health and other personnel to fulfill an assistive technology role. TAP is a flexible, modular training resource that can be tailored to support local health systems and training for assistive technology provision.TAP includes a range of assistive products to support cognition, communication, vision, hearing, self-care, and mobility from WHO’s Priority assistive products list. |
https://www.gate-tap.org/ |