The Problem
What is the Problem?
Globally, more than 1 billion people need at least one form of assistive device (AD) but over 90% (900 million) do not have access to it.
1 Worldwide between 93 and 150 million children less than 18 years live with some form of disability.2 The burden of child disability is especially high in Africa3; despite difficulties relating to assessing the prevalence of child disability available estimates indicate that the prevalence of disability among children aged 2-9 years is as high as 31% in Sierra Leone, 23% in Cameron and Central African Republic and 16% in Ghana.3.2 Access to appropriate AD for mobility such as wheelchairs and prosthetic devices is a big challenge in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) including sub-Saharan Africa.4 ADs are mostly imported into Africa therefore are costly and related maintenance services are not readily available or affordable which poses a major challenge3. In addition to high cost of AD for mobility, mobility products are usually manufactured in high-income countries and are often inappropriate for physical and social context of LMICs that represents a significant barrier for millions of disabled children.4 Lack of appropriate AD creates significant barriers for attending school in Africa where less than 10% of children with disabilities receive any form of education and only 2% attend school.3 Furthermore, children with disabilities often do not have access to adequate health care due to physical inaccessibility or challenges related to travel; they face significant barriers to access to water points, community, recreation and religious centers and even their homes in Africa.3
ALEX
Alex, 11 years old, was a normal boy till last year when he became ill and was diagnosed with tuberculosis of central nervous system. He is no longer able to attend school and participate in normal daily activities. The family cannot afford wheelchair or any needed rehabilitation services.
References:
1. Global Partnership for Assistive Technology (ATscale). Strategy overview. Online: ATscale, 2019.
2. United Nations Children’s Fund. Children and young people with disabilities Fact Sheet. New York, USA: UNICEF, 2014.
3. ACPF. The African report on children with disabilities: promising starts and persisting challenges. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: The African Child Policy Forum (ACPF), 2014.
4. Holloway C, Austin V, Barbareschi G, Barajas FR, Pannell L, Ramirez DM, et al. Scoping research report on assistive technology. On the road for universal assistive technology coverage. Online: GDI Hub & partners for the UK Department for International Development, 2018.