A new report published by the World Health Organization(WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has revealed that more than 2.5 billion people need one or more assistive products such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, or applications that support communication and cognition.

The report has indicated that nearly one billion of them are denied access particularly in low and middle income countries.

The report has also called on governments, industry, donors and civil society to fund and prioritize access to assistive products.

Commenting on the report, WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said “Assistive technology is a life changer, it opens the door to education for children with impairments, employment and social interaction for adults living with disabilities, and an independent life of dignity for older person’s”.

“He added that, denying people access to these life-changing tools is not only an infringement of human rights, it’s economically shortsighted. We call on all countries to fund and prioritize access to assistive technology and give everyone a chance to live up to their potential.”

On the other hand, UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said,”240 million children have disabilities, denying children, the right to the products they need to thrive doesn’t only harm individual children, it deprives families and their communities of everything they could contribute if their needs were met”.

“Without access to assistive technology, children with disabilities will continue to miss out on their education, continue to be at a greater risk of child labor and continue to be subjected to stigma and discrimination, undermining their confidence and wellbeing.”