The growth of Assistive Technologies (AT) has given tens of millions of individuals with disabilities new alternatives to beat obstacles and revel in life to the utmost extent potential. Establishing a National Policy on Assistive Technology in India as a way of fostering social inclusion is important.

Assistive applied sciences comprise a variety of gadgets, gear, software program, and items, all particularly engineered to empower individuals in overcoming disabilities. From the supply of listening to aids and wheelchairs to the event of Braille gadgets and display readers, these technological developments function important assets for a considerable variety of people. Nevertheless, a substantial section of people who might doubtlessly derive benefits from these applied sciences are sadly not adequately catered to, leading to social marginalisation and financial disparities.

A well-formulated National AT coverage, which is in accordance with worldwide agreements and human rights norms, would recognise the varied calls for of people with disabilities in addition to the ageing inhabitants who also can receive advantages from assistive gadgets. This can assure adherence to human rights and social inclusion requirements.

Survey findings

To perceive the AT situation in India, the fast Assistive Technology Assessment survey was carried out from November to December 2021, in keeping with the WHO’s methodology. The survey, which concerned a complete of 8,486 members from eight districts protecting 4 geographical zones, yielded findings indicating {that a} substantial proportion of the inhabitants encounters some form of incapacity on the charge of 31.8 per cent. It is noteworthy to watch that 6.3 per cent of the people surveyed encountered vital or full problem, highlighting the size of the problem. The prevalence of assistive know-how want was discovered to be vital, with a charge of 27.8 per cent. This discovering additional highlights the significance of growing accessible know-how options to fulfill the rising demand.

Equally noteworthy is the unfulfilled want for assistive know-how, which was discovered to be 9.7 per cent among the many people polled. Another statement pertains to the invention {that a} majority of people encountering vital or full challenges reported unfulfilled necessities, with a prevalence charge of 52.3 per cent. This means that these belonging to essentially the most susceptible sectors of society often encounter an absence of important help.

The United Nations Convention on the Human Rights of Persons with Disabilities acknowledges the basic human proper to entry appropriate assistive know-how. implementation of a National Policy on Assistive Technology shouldn’t be merely a discretionary measure however relatively an crucial requirement. Within the expansive cloth of our nation, it’s crucial to interlace a strand of equity and inclusiveness that encompasses people of various skills and limitations.  The current second necessitates fast motion, as the necessity is unequivocal: It is crucial that we set up a complete National Policy on Assistive Technology so as to handle the present disparity.

The writers are with IIM Kozhikode