Data for Assistive Device Survey Infographic
Key highlights from the UNICEF global survey on assistive technologies for Children with Disabilities - June 2015
In most developing countries, only 5 – 15% of assistive technology needs are meet (Source WHO (2008))
Urgent action is needed to reach ALL children with disabilities with devices that can help them participate in family and community. To scale up efforts, we asked 169 people from 54 countries about the most common and crucial issues surrounding assistive technologies.
% respondents from high income (29%), developing countries (67%) and global/regional (4%)
Most common and important assistive technologies globally:
Children who have learning and cognitive impairments: Illustrated books, calculators, computer software and hardware, blackboards and whiteboards
Children who are blind and low vision: braille printer and writers, digital audio books, computer software, white cane, magnifier
Children who are deaf and hard of hearing: hearing aids, assistive listening systems and voice amplification, visual alerts
Children who have mobility impairments: manual wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, orthotic and prosthetic devices, canes, adapted sitting chairs, accessible elevators
Children who have dexterity impairments: adapted pencil grips, adapted mouse and keyboards, book holder
Children who have communication impairments: computer software and hardware, pictures, photographs and objects, communication books
The technology divide
In developing countries, low-technology assistive devices are more commonly used than high-technology products (Note for Jim: % are % of respondents reporting common use)
Slate and Braille Stylus for children with vision impairments – developing country 80%, high income countries 43%
Crutches for children with mobility impairments– developing countries 86%, high income countries 63%
Computer software (speech recognition, text-to-speech) for children with cognitive and learning impairments – developing countries 45%, high income countries 71%
Digital audio books – developing countries 60%, high income countries 88%
Adapted mouse and keyboard for children with dexterity impairments – developing countries 53%, high income countries 81%
Who is involved in provision of Assistive Technologies? (% of respondents)
Assistive technologies provided by governments: high income countries 80%, developing countries 38%
Assistive technologies provided by NGOs/DPOs: high income countries 31%, developing countries 54%
Assistive technologies provided by families and users: high income countries 45%, developing countries 48%
Availability of Repair and Maintenance Services of Assistive Technologies (% of respondents)
Available: high income countries 62%, developing countries 25%
Available with some limitations: high income countries 38%, developing countries 47%
Not available: high income countries 0%, developing countries 28%
Quotes:
“Despite government provision of disability grants, many people cannot afford various assistive devices” – Southern Africa
“Only affordable by elite few, only in metro cities and repairs are expensive” – South Asia
“Due to poverty, many people living with disabilities are unable to acquire [an] education for lack of assistive aids” – Southern Africa