World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Research on Assistive Technology

In 2021, UCL’s Global Disability Innovation Hub (GDI Hub) Academic Research Centre became the first organisation to be awarded the status of World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre (CC) on Assistive Technology (AT). GDI Hub was selected because of its global expertise in AT and its track record of supporting millions of people with disabilities to access assistive technology. Powered by research excellence the GDI Hub develops and test new knowledge, providing the evidence required to enable change.

The UCL WHO Collaborating Centre on AT supports WHO’s efforts to widen global access to Assistive Technology. To this effect, experts from GDI Hub spearhead key research and innovation on AT:

to improve access to assistive products for humanitarian response
drive advances in digital technology and artificial intelligence
working to develop and implement a One-Stop-Shop Model of Assistive Product service provision.

The team also contribute to the creation, publication and dissemination of the upcoming WHO/UNICEF World Report on Assistive Technology. The World Report highlights the current need, demand and supply of AT and it outlines good practices for innovation and recommendations to improve access.

Assistant Director General of the WHO, responsible for medicines and health products, Dr Mariângela Simão said "Collaborating centres form a vital part of the international collaborative network to support WHO in its programmes. We are delighted to announce the Global Disability Innovation Hub as the first Assistive Technology Collaborating Centre, as we look to address the important and unmet need for assistive technology access around the world. Especially at this time of crisis, such expertise is vitally needed to ensure no one is left behind"

Through this unique partnership with the WHO we have the ability to accelerate the potential of assistive technology to change lives globally. Never has there been a more important time for AT to drive disability equality, as the world looks to build back stronger from the COVID-19 pandemic, which has disproportionately impacted people with disabilities globally" – UCL President and Provost Dr Michael Spence“Through this unique partnership with the WHO we have the ability to accelerate the potential of assistive technology to change lives globally. Never has there been a more important time for AT to drive disability equality, as the world looks to build back stronger from the COVID-19 pandemic, which has disproportionately impacted people with disabilities globally" – UCL President and Provost Dr Michael SpenceThrough this unique partnership with the WHO we have the ability to accelerate the potential of assistive technology to change lives globally. Never has there been a more important time for AT to drive disability equality, as the world looks to build back stronger from the COVID-19 pandemic, which has disproportionately impacted people with disabilities globally" – UCL President and Provost Dr Michael Spence