Unlocking Humanity: A Revolutionary Campaign Emerges at Davos to Redefine Access to Assistive Technology

• Global Harmony Unveiled at Davos: The unveiling of the ‘Unlock the Everyday’ campaign at the World Economic Forum in Davos marks a transformative global initiative. supported by Pakistan’s First Lady, Begum Samina Arif Alvi, this movement transcends borders, resonating with the international community to redefine access to assistive technology.
• Inequity Exposed, Collaboration Ignited: The campaign sheds light on a stark global reality – while 2.5 billion people clamor for assistive technology, a mere 10% in low-income countries can access these tools, compared to 90% in high-income nations. In response, a coalition led by ATscale, joined by influential entities like the World Health Organization and UNICEF, sparks collaborative efforts. The campaign’s grand agenda is set: USD 700 billion over 55 years to ensure universal access.
• A Symphony of Voices and Social Media Uprising: From high-level panels at Davos to the digital corridors of social media, the campaign beckons a collective response. Begum Samina Arif Alvi’s resounding call for inclusivity echoes, as policymakers and the public alike are urged to unite. Pascal Bijleveld’s optimism resounds: a global movement is afoot, envisioning a world where assistive technology is not a privilege but a right

January 16, 2024 – Davos, Switzerland: In the hallowed halls of the World Economic Forum, a seismic event unfolded as the groundbreaking global campaign, ‘Unlock the Everyday,’ took center stage. This epoch-making initiative, propelled by the esteemed First Lady of Pakistan, Begum Samina Arif Alvi, transcends geographical boundaries, promising transformative change for millions worldwide.

The campaign’s heartbeat echoes the urgency of its mission – to empower every individual with unbridled access to assistive technology. Wheelchairs, glasses, hearing aids, prostheses, and digital devices emerge not as mere tools but as gateways to a life of dignity. Stark statistics cast a long shadow: a staggering 2.5 billion people worldwide are in dire need of assistive technology, yet a mere 10% in low-income countries have the privilege, glaringly juxtaposed against a 90% accessibility rate in high-income nations.

In a resonant call to global leaders, Begum Samina Arif Alvi articulated the transformative power of assistive technology:

Assistive Technology is a bridge that connects individuals with disabilities, ageing populations, and those suffering from non-communicable diseases to a world of opportunities – opportunities for education, employment, and above all, inclusion in society.

This campaign, a symphony of collaboration orchestrated by the global partnership ATscale, unites juggernauts in the field – the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and the International Disability Alliance. Already, it has found resonance among leaders in the global development and private sectors, breathing life into its ambitious vision.

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Pascal Bijleveld, the maestro behind ATscale, highlighted the historical negligence on an international scale:

“Despite having the power to unlock potential and transform lives, assistive technology has historically been under-resourced and underinvested in – leading to the shocking inequity in access and a huge funding gap we have today.”

The campaign’s grand overture played out at a high-level panel in Davos, where luminaries from diverse international spheres convened. The discourse, while delving into the imperative of improved access to assistive technology, threw a spotlight on the pivotal roles of policymakers, the private sector, and health and development sectors in orchestrating meaningful change.

From an international vantage point, research from ATscale painted a compelling narrative – for every dollar invested in assistive technology, a ninefold return awaits. The campaign, however, confronts a financial chasm, spotlighting the need for a staggering USD 700 billion over 55 years to ensure equitable access for all in low- and middle-income countries.

The campaign’s manifestos read like a roadmap for global commitment:

• 1. Global Commitment: A resounding call reverberates, urging governments worldwide to elevate their investment in assistive technology, ensuring the provisioning of products and services that echo wider accessibility.
• 2. Inclusive Policies: The clarion call extends to governments in low- and middle-income countries, beseeching them to weave supportive and inclusive policies. Assistive technology should stand as pillars in national health systems, services, financing schemes, insurance, social protection programs, and education initiatives.
• 3. International Support: Bilateral and multilateral donors find themselves summoned to recognize the pivotal importance of access to assistive technology. Commitment to amplified financial support becomes the rallying cry.
• 4. Collaboration for Supply Chain Enhancement: In an era of interconnectedness, stakeholders, including the private sector, are beckoned to collaborate in enhancing assistive technology supply chains.

This campaign is not just a call to arms; it’s a shared responsibility echoing from policymakers to the public. The canvas extends beyond grandiloquent panels to the realms of social media, imploring individuals, assistive technology users, and the general public to amplify the campaign’s resonating message.

In the closing notes, Pascal Bijleveld left the audience with an optimistic crescendo:

“We truly believe that by uniting partners, policymakers, global decision-makers, the private sector, communities, and, of course, assistive technology users themselves, we can create a global movement that will motivate those in a position of power to take decisive action.”

The campaign’s global resonance paints a vivid tapestry of interconnected nations collectively grappling with shared challenges. It underscores the imperative for collaborative efforts, transcending borders, to sculpt a world that is not only inclusive but accessible for every soul on this shared voyage of humanity.