About

What is a WHO Collaborating Centre? 

WHO Collaborating Centres (WHO CC) are institutions, such as research institutes, parts of universities or academies, which are designated by the WHO Director-General to carry out activities in support of the Organisation's programmes. Currently, there are over 800 WHO collaborating centres in over 80 countries working with WHO on areas such as nursing, occupational health, communicable diseases, nutrition, mental health, chronic diseases and health technologies.

What is the WHO Collaborating Centre for Assistive Techonology at UCL? 

The WHO Collaborating Centre (CC) for Assistive Technology (AT)  is the first-ever collaborating centre for Assistive Technology. Based at UCL’s GDI Hub, the Centre supports WHO’s efforts to increase global access to assistive technology. The Centre leads key work on four research areas: humanitarian response, digital technology and artificial intelligence, service provision models, and the World Report on AT. 

Why was GDI Hub chosen to lead the WHO Collaborating Centre on AT? 

GDI Hub is a resarch and practice centre driving disability innovation for a fairer world.  It grew out of the bold approach to disability inclusion taken during the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. We are now operational in 41 countries, and with more than 70 partners, delivering projects across a portfolio of £50m. We have reached 23 million since our 2016 launch. GDI Hub is the home of the Disability Design and Innovation, MSc and the AT2030 Program.   GDI Hub was selected because of its global expertise in Assistive Technology (AT) and its track record of supporting millions of people with disabilities to access assistive technology. 

Disability innovation is not just a product or a service, it's a way of thinking to challenge the status quo. Powered by research excellence the GDI Hub develops and test new knowledge, providing the evidence required to enable change.