The WHO and UNICEF Global Report on Assistive Technology finds that more than 2.5 billion people need at least one assistive product — a wheelchair, hearing aids, glasses, or communication and cognition support — yet nearly a billion are denied access, especially in lower-income countries where availability can be as low as 3% of need. Of the 80 million people who need a wheelchair, only 5–35% have one depending on where they live, and hearing-aid production meets under 10% of global demand. The report is part of a monitoring cycle running to 2030.
Why it matters: It frames assistive technology as a global equity issue, not a niche concern — useful context for every product and policy we cover.
Source: World Health Organization — Global report on assistive technology →
Nextrability 