Keynote speech presented at the Global Conference on Assistive Devices and Technology (Beijing, 30/10/2015) on behalf of the Australian Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology Association (ARATA) and the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT).

1. Promoting and reforming
Assistive Technology provision
Emily Steel
Australian Rehabilitation and Assistive
Technology Association (ARATA)
World Federation of Occupational
Therapists (WFOT)

2. Our members:
65% allied health & engineers
19% suppliers
17% administrators
5% consumers
5% educators & researchers
www.arata.org.au
Practitioners
ConsumersSuppliers

3. The Australian context
A complicated system of over 100 programs
(National Aids and Equipment Reform Alliance Foundation (NAERA), 2011)

4. Making the case for change
Melbourne Rally (August 2012)
www.everyaustraliancounts.com.au

6. • Research evidence and co-
production with consumers,
referring to the UN CRPD and
ISO9999.
• Good AT service delivery creates
individual solutions integrating
assistive products, environmental
interventions, personal support
using soft technology (practitioner
skills).
• ARATA supports the WHO in GATE
Collaborative advocacy

8. More than 50 years of collaboration with the WHO:
• research, data collection
• education and awareness raising
• building capacity for health & disability policy and practice
• promoting community based rehabilitation
• contributing to the implementation of the UN CRPD
• supporting the GATE initiative.

9. You are invited to the
National AT Conference
in Australia
hosted by ARATA and OT
Australia
27 -29 July 2016
The Gold Coast, Queensland
www.arata.org.au/conference