Copyright © 2012 University of Washington
Welcome
The vast majority of people with disabilities in the developing world (estimates at 520 million) lack access to education, employment, health care, civic and social engagement. Worldwide, the prevalence of disability is growing due to population ageing and the global increase in chronic health conditions (WHO).
Effective and sustainable rehabiltation and assistive technology solutions have tremendous potential to help realize these rights.
In collaboration with Seattle-based NGOs, the University of Washington is working to advance research and practice in the field of rehabilitation and technology in low resourced environments.
Rehabilitation services reach 1-2% of people with disabilities in the developing world (WHO).
‘Based on the existing body of knowledge about the situation it can be concluded that assistive technology products and services are largely unavailable, inaccessible, unaffordable, inequitable, and inappropriate in the developing world’.
(Lancet, Nov. 2009)