Establishing an Assistive Technology (AT) Users Community of Practice is pivotal for meaningful engagement in policy, design, and evaluation of AT. Recognizing its significance, the International Disability Alliance (IDA) is actively fostering this engagement through various initiatives. These include the creation of a Global Network, designed to connect AT users globally and facilitate collaborative opportunities. Additionally, IDA is implementing capacity building programs to empower users, linking them together to collectively drive advancements in policy, design, and evaluation within the AT landscape.
2.1 Assistive Technology Global Network
In pursuit of inclusive engagement, IDA and ATscale are collaboratively establishing the AT Global Network, aimed at gathering insights from a diverse range of AT users.
Network Objectives:
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The network will strengthen the help desk function for ATscale and partners, serving AT users, policymakers, and stakeholders seeking feedback for new interventions, policies, programs, or initiatives.
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It will facilitate seamless communication between ATscale and AT users, enabling the conduct of surveys, polls, and qualitative engagements, providing a space for users to express concerns, discuss ideas, and contribute suggestions.
Network Management: Leveraging IDA's partnership with ATscale member GDI Hub, the five AT user fellows (link) from varied global regions will lead the network's management, with support of IDA. This collaborative approach ensures efficiency, synergy between projects, and long-term sustainability.
Enhancing Accessibility: Recognizing digital barriers for some users, local Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) and representative groups are invited to sign up as intermediaries. These intermediaries will facilitate a two-way conversation, disseminate information, and collect valuable feedback, fostering peer interaction and advocacy initiatives.
Platform Development: A comprehensive web platform will be created as the network's central hub, prioritizing accessibility, and translation into at least one other UN language. This platform will raise awareness about AT, align with the CRPD, and influence market discussions for a broader impact.
2.2 AT Technical Advisory Group
In collaboration, ATscale and IDA have jointly chosen a group of 18 technical experts in Assistive Technology (AT) who are diverse, representative, and balanced. This Technical Advisory Group, established by ATscale, serves the purpose of offering independent advice on various matters, including priority setting, annual work plans, country engagements, and global goods interventions. The focus is on evaluating these issues in terms of strategic value, potential impact, programmatic merit (such as technical soundness, viability, value for money), and other relevant aspects. The aim is to utilize the scientific and technical expertise, as well as the direct experience in the use of AT, within the group to inform ATscale's operations and activities.
More about the technical experts: Coming soon!
2.3. AT fellowship and fellows
As part of the AT Project, an AT Users Community of Practice has been established, comprising five AT user fellows selected from four regions in the Global South (Africa, Asia, Latin America, and MENA) under IDA’s fellowship programs. Read more.