According to a new World Health Organisation (WHO) and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) report, more than 2.5 billion people need wheelchairs, hearing aids, or apps that support communication and cognition. Access to these life-changing products is as low as 3% in low- and middle-income countries.

Assistive technology provides the door to education for children with disabilities, work and social engagement for individuals with disabilities, and independent, dignified life for seniors. Denying individuals these life-changing technologies is a human rights violation and economic short-sightedness.

According to UNICEF, 240 million children are disabled. Denying children the resources they need to grow affects individual children, families, and communities. If their needs were addressed, they might contribute more.

The report notes that the number of people in need of one or more assistive products is likely to rise to 3.5 billion by 2050, due to populations ageing and the prevalence of noncommunicable diseases rising across the world. The report also highlights the vast gap in access between low- and high-income countries. An analysis of 35 countries reveals that access varies from 3% in poorer nations to 90% in wealthy countries.

A survey of 70 countries featured in the report found large gaps in service provision and a trained workforce for assistive technology, especially in cognition, communication, and self-care.