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 |
|---|---|---|
| Asia Development Bank (ADB) |
Asian Development Bank is a multilateral development bank supporting inclusive, resilient, and sustainable growth across Asia and the Pacific. Working with its members and partners to solve complex challenges together, ADB harnesses innovative financial tools and strategic partnerships to transform lives, build quality infrastructure, and safeguard our planet. |
https://www.adb.org/ |
| ATscale the Global Partnership for Assistive Technology |
ATscale is a cross-sector global partnership working to transform access to assistive technology (AT) worldwide. Hosted by UNOPS, ATscale brings together governments, donors, UN agencies, civil society, and the private sector to catalyze political will, investment, and catalyzes action to ensure that, by 2030, an additional 500 million people in low- and middle-income countries get the life-changing AT they need. |
https://atscalepartnership.org/ |
| CBM (Christian Blind Mission) |
Christian Blind Mission (CBM) is a Christian international development organisation devoted to improving the lives of people with disabilities in the poorest places on earth. Poverty and disability go hand in hand, creating a cycle of inequality, isolation and exclusion that leads to the most extreme forms of poverty. |
https://www.cbmuk.org.uk/ |
| Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) |
The Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) is a global health organization that operates at the nexus of government, business, and health. Our approach hinges on our trusted relationships with governments to drive change across entire health systems. |
https://www.clintonhealthaccess.org/ |
| HelpAge |
HelpAge International is a global non-profit organisation that works to improve the lives of older people around the world. We work through the HelpAge global network, an alliance of organisations committed to the wellbeing, dignity and voice of older people. |
https://www.helpage.org/ |
| Humanity and inclusion (HI) |
Humanity & Inclusion (HI), formerly known as Handicap International, is an independent and impartial international non-governmental organization (NGO) dedicated to supporting people with disabilities and other vulnerable populations in situations of poverty, exclusion, conflict, and disaster. |
https://www.hi-us.org/en/index |
| International Labour Organization (ILO) |
International Labour Organization (ILO) is devoted to promoting social justice and internationally recognized human and labour rights, pursuing its founding mission that social justice is essential to universal and lasting peace. |
https://www.ilo.org/ |
| International Organization for Migration (IOM) |
IOM is part of the United Nations System and stands as the leading intergovernmental organization in the field of migration. |
https://www.iom.int/ |
| International Standards Organization (ISO) |
ISO is an independent, non-governmental international organization. It brings global experts together to agree on the best ways of doing things. From quality management to AI, our mission is to make lives easier, safer and better – for everyone, everywhere. |
https://www.iso.org/home.html |
| International Telecommunication Union |
As the United Nations specialized agency for digital technologies, ITU works towards harnessing innovation and connecting everyone to ensure a better future for all. |
https://www.itu.int/ |
| 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/ |