Assistive Technology (AT) Landscape in India: The Story so far and Road Ahead
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56450//JEFI.2025.v3i1Suppl.006Keywords:
Assistive Technology, Functional Impairments, Unmet Needs, Accessibility, User-centric DesignAbstract
The importance of Assistive technology (AT) is gaining serious attention worldwide due to recent technological advancements, an aging population, and the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and functional impairments. Global reports on AT reveal that one in every three globally requires at least one AT and this need is further exacerbated by age, region and socioeconomic status, making individuals belonging to LMICs the most vulnerable. The preliminary findings of the ICMR-initiated rATA survey, currently underway across India, reveal a significant gap between AT needs and AT access, with females, older age groups, and individuals from rural and tribal areas being the most vulnerable. Although there have been significant innovations in the field of AT with the advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), affordability, accessibility and limited customisations as per user needs hinder the wider adoption of AT, especially in India, with a vast population, diverse cultural and geographical landscapes and limited awareness about AT services and products. Indian government initiatives such as the RPwD Act, ADIP and RVY schemes, intended at provisioning AT services for eligible individuals which includes persons with disabilities (PwDs) and individuals above 60 years, have substantially failed to deliver as promised mainly due to inadequate financial allocations, poor distribution and supply chain networks, weak regulatory enforcements and limited awareness of schemes among the targeted beneficiaries. In this regard, this article attempts to provide a comprehensive overview of the current situation of AT in India, focusing on government initiatives and schemes, current demand and scope for AT, barriers in AT adoption and finally recommendations and best practices for a successful AT adoption in India.
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