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Generate new evidence & insights.

We answer critical research questions and develop foundational methodologies, addressing intersectional challenges and research and evidence gaps.

Led by GDI Hub at University College London, with academic and community partners globally, this cluster will answer critical research questions and develop foundational methodologies to support the evidence base for best practices in assistive technology provision in low- and middle-income countries. 

Sub-Programmes

  • Data and Evidence Portal: Our Data and Evidence portal combines research from the Rapid Assessments of Assistive Technology and various global studies. The portal aims to improve access to life-changing assistive technology for all.
  • What Works: The What Works project focuses on research related to the AT2030 programme, aiming to answer specific questions and gather insights.
  • Mobile & Emerging Technology: Mobile and emerging technologies are enhancing assistive devices with features like text-to-speech and eye-gaze control, improving accessibility. However, questions persist about the effectiveness of mobile devices as assistive technology.
  • Fellowship Programme: Our Fellowships programme will accelerate emerging talent, helping to answer key research questions.

Latest

  • UCL joins UK Prime Minister India visit and unveils new technology collaborations

    UCL
    Oct. 10, 2025
    India, United Kingdom

    UCL President & Provost Dr Michael Spence has joined UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s first official visit to India this week, advancing UCL’s strategic collaborations across technology and innovation.

    Publisher Link
  • Sex and Gender in AT2030 V2 funded projects Involving Primary Data cover page Cover Image

    Sex and Gender in AT2030 V2 funded projects Involving Primary Data

    Dr Dilisha Patel, Elizabeth Mc Guinness
    Oct. 6, 2025
    Global
    Academic Research Publications

    The UK International Development funded AT2030 programme, which focuses on improving access to Assistive Technology (AT) across more than 40 countries, has reached over 37 million people till the end of AT2030 V2. As AT2030 enters its third phase (v3), an evaluation of its past work from 2019-2024 (v2) highlights the need for improved inclusion of sex and gender-disaggregated data in its research outputs.

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  • A poster of the Automatic speech recognition and voice cloning session Cover Image

    Empower Conference: Automatic Speech Recognition & Voice Cloning

    Global Disability Innovation Hub, Richard Cave
    Oct. 3, 2025
    India

    Change or loss of natural voice is likely for many people living with progressive neurological conditions such as MND/ALS, Parkinson’s Disease, MSA, PSP and many others. Also, for people living with the effects of head and neck cancer, trauma. And for many others, they may have never had natural voice to communicate with, for example some people with cerebral palsy. Is this situation, text to speech (or picture to speech) apps are sometimes used, using a synthesised voice that frequently sounds very different to how a person sounded or should be represented.

  • A co creation session in Kenya Cover Image

    GDI Hub’s Centre for Digital Language Inclusion (CDLI) co-creation sesison

    Harrison Kamau
    Sept. 25, 2025
    Kenya
    Case Studies and Reports

    GDI Hub’s Centre for Digital Language Inclusion (CDLI) is running an innovation sprint in Kenya, bringing together university teams, innovators, and mentors to co-create inclusive technologies using non-standard speech data. Building on learnings from the Ghana edition, this hackathon will culminate in a finale in November with top teams developing real-world MVPs, using ASRs trained on the voice samples that have been collected by the CDLI in collaboration with Senses Hub. With structured mentoring, stakeholder consultations, and user empowerment workshops, the initiative is designed to ensure that persons with speech impairments are not just represented but meaningfully involved in shaping solutions. The final prototypes aim to bridge accessibility gaps in communication and digital participation.

  • A group photo of the Kenyan cluster Cover Image

    Inclusive ASR Innovation Sprint to Empower People with Non-Typical Speech in Kenya.

    Global Disability Innovation Hub
    Aug. 7, 2025
    Kenya
    Case Studies and Reports

    The second phase of the Centre for Digital and Language Inclusion (CDLI) initiative is now underway in Kenya, driving the development of inclusive Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) systems for people with non-typical or slurred speech, particularly in African languages. This marks the second innovation sprint in a pan-African effort to close the digital divide for individuals with speech impairments, building on a successful pilot in Ghana.