Publications
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Beyond Stigma Workshop - ideas, learning and sharing
Loughborough UniversityJan. 27, 2026Case Studies and ReportsThe Beyond Stigma knowledge sharing workshop created a conversation that moved beyond awareness or attitude to focus on how stigma is produced through systems, and what that means for efforts to address it. Capturing reflections, experiences and learnings from the AT2030 Para Sport Against Stigma programme, the event provided an opportunity to step back and reflect - as is captured by the visual illustration of the disussions.
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OPD Country Level Strategy for Kenya
Global Disability Innovation HubDec. 19, 2025KenyaAT2030 ResourcesThe primary aim of this project is to develop an OPD Country Level Strategy for Kenya, titled: ‘How can technology support OPDs to build capacity, impact and influence’ - through a lens of Assistive Technologies which will include an OPD Capacity Building Framework co-created by OPDs.
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Building a Case for Disability-Inclusive Local Climate Action.
Global Disability Innovation Hub, Mikaela Patrick, Bala NagendranNov. 21, 2025GlobalAT2030 ResourcesThe Global Disability Innovation Hub (GDI Hub) presents this White Paper titled ‘Building a Case for Disability-Inclusive Local Climate’ as an effort to synthesise available insights at this intersection and frame a narrative for future research, innovation, and action.
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Toward a Multi-layer Framework to Assess the Quality of Life Impact of Smartphones as Assistive Technology for People with Sensory Disabilities in Kenya
Vicki Austin, Catherine Holloway, Dr Giulia Barbareschi, Lan Xiao, Maryam BandukdaOct. 22, 2025KenyaAcademic Research PublicationsRecent advances in smartphone technology have elevated their potential as digital assistive technologies (AT) for blind or partially sighted (BPS) and deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) individuals. However, there is a gap in fully understanding the use of smartphones as AT and their impact on the quality of life (QoL) of BPS and DHH individuals. To address this gap, we conducted a mixed-methods longitudinal study over six months with 193 participants in Kenya. The study involved a baseline survey, smartphone digital skills training, and a follow-up survey and interviews to examine the impact of smartphones as AT. The findings emphasise the significant impact of smartphones on their quality of life, including impact on their identity and well-being, social inclusion and leisure, access to information and education, and material well-being. Building on the findings, we contribute an AT Impact Framework, which highlights the behaviours enabled by smartphones and their impact on the individual
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Understanding the Video Content Creation Journey of Creators with Sensory Impairment in Kenya
Catherine Holloway, Lan Xiao, Maryam BandukdaOct. 22, 2025KenyaAcademic Research PublicationsVideo content creation offers vital opportunities for expression and participation, yet remains largely inaccessible to creators with sensory impairments, especially in low-resource settings. We conducted interviews with 20 video creators with visual and hearing impairments in Kenya to examine their tools, challenges, and collaborative practices. Our findings show that accessibility barriers and infrastructural limitations shape video creation as a staged, collaborative process involving trusted human partners and emerging AI tools. Across workflows, creators actively negotiated agency and trust, maintaining creative control while bridging sensory gaps. We discuss the need for flexible, interdependent collaboration models, inclusive human-AI workflows, and diverse storytelling practices. This work broadens accessibility research in HCI by examining how technology and social factors intersect in low-resource contexts, suggesting ways to better support disabled creators globally.
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A Cookbook for Community-driven Data Collection of Impaired Speech in LowResource Languages
Gifty Ayoka, Catherine Holloway, Richard CaveSept. 30, 2025GhanaAcademic Research PublicationsThis study presents an approach for collecting speech samples to build Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) models for impaired speech, particularly, low-resource languages. It aims to democratize ASR technology and data collection by developing a "cookbook" of best practices and training for community-driven data collection and ASR model building. As a proof-of-concept, this study curated the first open-source dataset of impaired speech in Akan: a widely spoken indigenous language in Ghana. The study involved participants from diverse backgrounds with speech impairments. The resulting dataset, along with the cookbook and open-source tools, are publicly available to enable researchers and practitioners to create inclusive ASR technologies tailored to the unique needs of speech impaired individuals. In addition, this study presents the initial results of fine-tuning open-source ASR models to better recognize impaired speech in Akan.
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More Than Games: Why Sport Must Matter in the Assistive Technology Agenda
Loughborough UniversitySept. 30, 2025NamibiaCase Studies and ReportsHow participatory research, co-creation with Global South partners, and extended project cycles can lead to policy change for disability inclusion. Exploring how the African Union Sport Council Region 5 Youth Games (July 2025, Namibia) brought together 100 delegates from government, NGOs, and the Olympic and Commonwealth Sport Movements.
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Sex and Gender in AT2030 V2 funded projects Involving Primary Data
Dr Dilisha Patel, Elizabeth Mc GuinnessSept. 30, 2025GlobalAcademic Research PublicationsThe 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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Developing National Priority Assistive Products Lists: experiences and lessons from six Sub-Saharan African countries
Frederic Seghers, Satish MishraSept. 27, 2025Academic Research PublicationsThis study examines the experiences and lessons learned from six Sub-Saharan African countries in developing National Priority Assistive Products Lists (APLs) between 2020 and 2024, aiming to provide insights for improving assistive technology (AT) access in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Data analysis involved synthesising information to identify common themes, challenges, and best practices in APL development. The study highlights the complex nature of developing National APLs and emphasises the importance of inclusive stakeholder engagement, data-driven prioritisation, and integration within broader health system strengthening efforts. These insights can guide other countries in developing and implementing effective APLs, ultimately improving AT access and advancing disability rights.
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Exploring the Usability of Gaze-based Mobile Communication in Ghana
Gifty Ayoka, Vicki Austin, Catherine Holloway, Dr Giulia Barbareschi, Richard CaveSept. 26, 2025GhanaAcademic Research PublicationsIn Ghana, people with communication challenges could benefit from gaze-based Augmented and Assistive Communication devices (AACs), widely used in countries with greater resources. However, there is limited evidence about the potential of such devices by people with communication disabilities in the Global South. Our study sought to evaluate the usability, identifying barriers and facilitators of adoption of a freely available Android-based eye-gaze AAC application called Look to Speak. The study included training of 10 local speech and language therapists and 15 people with communication difficulties. Our findings highlight how, despite some initial successes and the positive opinions of clients, caregivers and speech and language therapists the Look to Speak application largely failed to deliver substantial communication benefits to individual users. This was due to a combination of factors including the high cognitive load, design flaws of the application - such as the lack of optimi
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Inclusive Climate Infrastructure Design Challenge
Global Disability Innovation HubSept. 25, 2025GlobalAT2030 ResourcesWe had an enlightening session today as part of the New York Climate Action Week, exploring Inclusive Climate Infrastructure Design Challenge
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Inclucity 4: Climate resilience and innovation for inclusive cities
Global Disability Innovation HubJuly 23, 2025AT2030 ResourcesIn this final webinar, we will be focusing on climate resilience and innovation for inclusive cities. This project focuses on the need and opportunities for disability inclusion within the climate adaptation, mitigation, resilience, and innovation narratives and actions. It situates inclusive cities within the larger just transition ambition.
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Understanding the Impact of Assistive Technology on Users’ Lives in England: A Capability Approach
Rebecca Joskow, Dilisha Patel, Anna Landre, Kate Mattick, Catherine Holloway, Jamie Danemayer, Vicki AustinJuly 9, 2025Academic Research PublicationsThis study explores the real-life impact of assistive technology (AT) in England, drawing on findings from a 2023 Country Capacity Assessment conducted by GDI Hub and the UK Disability Unit using the WHO’s ATA toolkit. It revealed the personal significance of AT in shaping identity and confidence, while identifying systemic barriers that limit access and effectiveness. The findings emphassze the need for user-centered approaches in measuring and improving AT systems.
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Reflective narrative of OPD's and capacity building in Pakistan
Global Disability Innovation Hub, Special Talent Exchange Program (STEP)June 30, 2025Academic Research PublicationsThis report explores the Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) ecosystem in Pakistan, focusing on how capacity building can drive systemic change, improve access to Assistive Technology (AT), and strengthen advocacy for the rights of People with Disabilities (PwDs). Part of the AT2030 programme, funded by UK International Development, the initiative draws on policy analysis, consultations with OPDs, and engagement with government, academia, and the private sector. It identifies key challenges, highlights opportunities, and offers practical recommendations to enhance OPD effectiveness and AT access.
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IncluCITY 3: Making Services Inclusive
Global Disability Innovation HubJune 25, 2025AT2030 ResourcesIn this third webinar, the focus was on Making Services Inclusive—exploring inclusive services and facilities, including essential services, and how to create seamless cities with connected, inclusive service ecosystems. It examined different aspects of inclusive services, including policy, training, financing, design, implementation, and monitoring.
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Outcomes of assistive technology use by sex and gender; a scoping review
Vicki Austin, Mikaela Patrick, Dr Dilisha PatelJune 25, 2025GlobalAcademic Research PublicationsThis paper synthesises evidence on the influence of sex and gender on assistive technology (AT) outcomes, recognising AT as a tool for enabling participatory rights.
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Consultation guide to inform the development of Dignity Kits customised for women and girls with disabilities
Patel Dilisha, Global Disability Innovation HubJune 23, 2025GlobalAcademic Research PublicationsThis new toolkit is here to help us hold impactful consultations to develop Dignity Kits specifically for women and girls with disabilities! Created with GDI Hub and UNFPA Asia-Pacific Regional Office, this guide has been refined through piloting in Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Fiji, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka UNFPA Country Offices. Their experiences are now integrated, making this a powerful tool for UNFPA country offices worldwide to ensure their offerings are truly inclusive.
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AUSC Region 5 Namibia Youth Games
Global Disability Innovation HubJune 18, 2025AT2030 ResourcesThese videos showcase the journeys of athletes Boyson Masego, Sandra Mughogho, and Wongani Chawinga as they prepare to participate in the AUSC Region 5 Namibia Youth Games.
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Wheelchair Provision in Nepal: Pokhara, Gandaki Province
Global Disability Innovation Hub, University of Limerick, Kathmandu UniversityJune 17, 2025NepalAcademic Research PublicationsApplying the Sustainable Community of Practice (SCOP) model to view wheelchair provision in Nepal, this study seeks to understand the landscape of overall wheelchair product and service provision, deep diving into its provincial situation. This report provides an insight on the provincial workshops conducted in the Pokhara using the SCOP model and Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) which were pivotal in collaboratively identifying context-specific solutions and stakeholder-driven recommendations.
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Wheelchair Provision in Nepal: Butwal, Lumbini Province
Global Disability Innovation Hub, University of Limerick, Kathmandu UniversityJune 15, 2025NepalAcademic Research PublicationsApplying the Sustainable Community of Practice (SCOP) model to view wheelchair provision in Nepal, this study seeks to understand the landscape of overall wheelchair product and service provision, deep diving into its provincial situation. This report provides an insight on the provincial workshops conducted in the Butwal using the SCOP model and Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) which were pivotal in collaboratively identifying context-specific solutions and stakeholder-driven recommendations.
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