International development organisation The Fred Hollows Foundation on Monday reaffirmed its commitment to increase access to assistive technology (AT) to ensure people with vision loss can live with independence and actively participate in society.
Marking the first ever World Assistive Technology Day, The Fred Hollows Foundation Healthy Ageing Senior Advisor Dr Vânia de la Fuente-Núñez said about 2.5 billion people need at least one form of assistive technology in the world.
By 2050, that number is projected to increase to 3.5 billion people.
Only 10 percent of individuals in low-income countries can access the assistive technology they need. This glaring disparity results in millions of people facing disadvantages in employment, education, and social participation.
“If we look at needs across the life course, we see that older people have the fastest-growing unmet need for assistive technology, with approximately two-thirds of those aged 60 and over requiring it,” Dr de la Fuente-Núñez said.
Access to safe, affordable, and appropriate assistive technology is a human right and should be universal, irrespective of age, gender, geographical location or economic status, she said.
The Fred Hollows Foundation works with partners and the private sector to ensure equitable access to assistive technology in low- and middle- income countries, with a focus on glasses.
Globally, it is estimated that only 36 percent of people with a distance vision impairment due to refractive error have received access to an appropriate pair of spectacles, while more than 800 million people, predominantly older adults, have a near vision impairment that could be corrected with a pair of reading glasses.
“Last year alone, The Foundation reached more than 150,000 people across age groups in 15 countries with quality and affordable glasses,” Dr de la Fuente-Núñez said.
Adults and older people accounted for two-thirds of this figure and about 50,000 children received glasses.
“World Assistive Technology Day is a key opportunity to create a world of inclusion and accessibility.
“Access to assistive technology allows millions of people around the world to participate in everyday activities and restores independence and dignity, including for many older people and children.
“We are committed to ongoing advocacy to ensure that everyone can access the assistive technology they need and will intensify our efforts to reach disadvantaged groups with AT” Dr de la Fuente-Núñez said.
