Following the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Zero Project and GAATO in September 2021, the two organisations have come together to produce a Zero Project-GAATO Report on Assistive Technology.
These two large accessibility and technology expert networks launched their Sector Report on Assistive Technologies during a joint session at the ICCHP-AAATE 2022 conference in Lecco, Italy in August 2022 entitled: The Challenges of Scaling Up Innovative Practices in Technology and Disability.
In this first publication between Zero Project and GAATO the subject of Assistive Technologies (#AT) is introduced and an overview provided of some different areas in AT, with particular focus on digital solutions. The purpose of the publication is to be educational as well as promotional as both partners believe that we need to accelerate implementation of successful and proven technologies and continue to highlight important factors for achieving this goal.
As the recently published WHO-UNICEF (2022) Global Report on Assistive Technology (GReAT) stated, 'it is estimated that worldwide only a small percentage of those who might benefit from AT have access to it. The majority of those in need do not currently have access to such technology.' Both Zero Project and GAATO are committed to continuing their productive cooperation in order to help address this globally unmet need through further publications and activities. Their collaboration will also be the focus at the 2023 Zero Project Conference on Independent Living, Political Participation, and ICT, which will include jointly organised sessions and meetings dedicated to the topic of Assistive Technologies and their contribution to a more inclusive world.
