Current Projects - Assistive Technology

International Disability Alliance (IDA), in collaboration with ATscale, is actively co-delivering a project, Boosting AT User Engagement and Knowledge, Globally and Locally, leveraging IDA's global reach and expertise in inclusive consultations. This ongoing initiative is dedicated to prioritizing the voices of Assistive Technology (AT) users, ensuring that their perspectives continually shape ATscale's interventions on a global and local scale. 

Through a consultative process, ATscale and IDA have developed a comprehensive plan to actively engaging AT users and encompasses three key areas of work: 

Global Network of AT Users: As part of the Global Network of AT Users initiative, outreach efforts, led by ATscale, IDA, and five AT User fellows, will focus on building a robust and inclusive membership base through activities such as creating mailing lists, WhatsApp groups, and conducting surveys. The network will assist in actively facilitating information sharing, feedback, and insights from AT users worldwide, fostering a continuous and dynamic dialogue. 

ATscale Technical Advisory Group: This group will provide expert advice, ensuring that AT users' perspectives actively inform and guide ATscale's day-to-day operations. Regular meetings will be organized by IDA, with support from ATscale, to facilitate collaboration, build connections among members, and identify priority issues. Additionally, members will act as a responsive "help desk", addressing ad hoc technical requests from various stakeholders, including ATscale, governments, UN agencies, INGOs, and OPDs, thereby providing balanced and valuable support across the Advisory Group. 

Capacity Building and Advocacy: In support of capacity building and advocacy, IDA and ATscale will conduct workshops, webinars, and microgrants to build technical capacities, raise awareness, and advocate for increased AT access. IDA will organise localised workshops in ATscale's focus countries to cultivate skills, awareness, and insights from AT users, shaping future policies. Simultaneously, IDA will actively support Technical Advisory Group members, OPD representatives, and AT users in engaging with global fora, ensuring a direct influence on global policy and decision-making. Collaboratively with ATscale, IDA will implement microgrants targeting OPDs and organizations in pipeline countries, fostering small-scale projects and initiatives that directly benefit AT users. This effort will shape the landscape for AT users globally, ensuring they are empowered and heard in critical discussions about AT. 

GDI Hub 

The International Disability Alliance (IDA), in collaboration with GDI Hub and AT2030, is actively spearheading the "Positioning OPDs as Equal Partners on AT" project (AT Project). The AT project’s overarching objective is to position OPDs as equal partners in prominent dialogues on assistive technology. The dual goals of this project are as follows: 

By addressing these objectives, the project aspires to foster inclusivity and equal partnership in the field of assistive technology.