This document discusses mainstreaming assistive devices and provides examples of how assistive devices have helped people live active lives and contribute to society. It notes that an estimated 100 crore people globally require assistive devices, with over 90% lacking access. While there is both great need and business opportunity, assistive technology receives limited investment. The WHO and Government of India have taken steps to establish priority assistive product lists and increase availability through healthcare systems. However, additional efforts are needed for universal design, awareness, availability, services, training, and standards compliance to fully mainstream assistive devices.

1. MAINSTREAMING
ASSISTIVE DEVICES
NCREAT- 2021

2. WONDERS
OF
MAINSTREA
MING
ASSISTIVE
DEVICES
Stephen Hawking was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease at the age of 21.
However with his will power and family support he contributed to the world of Physics
and lived for a full 76 years fully paralysed with the help of a Speaking Computer and
Electrically controlled wheelchair. He net worth was $ 20 Million at the time of death
and several accolades and awards and authored prestigious books.
Sudha Chandran did wonders in dancing with Artificial Right Leg.
Arunima Sinha lost her left leg in a train accident after the robbers threw her out of
the train. With prosthetic Leg she climbed everest

3. WONDERS
OF
MAINSTREA
MING
ASSISTIVE
DEVICES
Franklin De Roosovelt was paralysed at the age of 40 down blow
the waist. He remained active with Assistive devices and became
president at the age of 50 and served two full terms and guided
USA through economic depression and World War II
The Superman Actor Christophor Reeve was paralysed at the age
of 42 but with the Assistive Device and his will power he survived
near death and is now actively contributing to social and
philanthropy.
There are numerous examples of people living active life
contributing to society with the help of Assistive Devices.

4. FACTS AND
FIGURES
As of now an estimated 100 Crores globally
require assistive devices and the number is likely
to be doubled by 2050.
More than 90% of the disabled persons don’t have
access to the AD.
Assistive technology is often disregarded on global
health and attracts limited investments inspite of
having massive requirements.
The need is rising as the increased life expectancy
and increased NCD is increasing aged population
with disabilities.

5. FACTS AND
FIGURES
>15% OF Global population requires AD and 2.5%
of Indian Population requires AD
There is business opportunity of 50000 Crores
globally and likely to double by 2050
There is a need to make the AD integrate within
the mainsteam society.
Globally WHO initiatives have made govt. to
increase their participation in mainstreaming the
AD by enforcing List of Essential AD

6. BENEFITS
OF
MAINSTREA
MING THE
AD
The society will have more
productive manpower.
Idle manpower will reduce.
Can significantly contribute to GDP
and social life.
Elderly population will become self
dependent and the younger
generation can contribute more to
economic activities.
INSPITE OF HUGE UNMET NEED
AND HUGE COMMERCIAL
POTENTIAL THE AD STILL LACK OF
MAINSTREAM . WE NEED TO
ADDRESS THE PROBLEM AND FIND
A WAY OUT ON MAKINSTRAEMING
THE AD.

7. CHALLENGES
OF
MAINSTREAMI
NG
Awareness- Because of lack of awareness
there is a lack of demand.
Limited capacity of quality goods complying
to national/ international standards.
Non availability of trained manpower.
After sales and repair and maintenance
services are not available.
Willingness of family members and society to
support the elderly.

8. STEPS
TAKEN BY
WHO AND
GOI
WHO Priority Assistive Products List includes hearing aids, wheelchairs,
communication aids, spectacles, artificial limbs, pill organizers, memory aids and
other essential items for many older people and people with disabilities to be able to
live a healthy, productive and dignified life.
GoI in 2016 in consultation with various national and international organisation has
drafted a List of Essential Assistive Products (LEAP).
These AP will be made available to the general public at various healthcare institutions
like Health and Wellness Centres, CHC, District Hospitals and tertiary care institutions .
In total 383 AD has been identified to be made available at various centres . All these
devices have been prescribed to be made available with compliance to national and
international standards.

9. WHAT
ADDITIONA
L STEPS
ARE
REQUIRED
1. Universal design of a product with additional features.
Designing of products that can be used for normal persons as
well as persons with disability.
For example the Mainframe computers can be designed to be
used may be provided with features for braile readings.
Similarly a cup would be provided with additional handle
attachments to be used by persons with parkinsons disease to
have a cup of coffee or tea with both the hands.
Gazettes like kitchen knives can be designed with firm grips
that a normal person as well as a person with limited grip can
use it.

10. ADDITIONA
L STEPS
2. Ensuring availability of AP in the big malls and shopping
centers.
There should be a section in big shopping centers where
availability of the AP should be there. These centers should be
linked to service and repair facilities so that the product can
be left in the section and collected after repairs.
3. Availability of the AP in nearby shops- Each localized
colony may have its own AP dedicated shops where the AP
will be made available. They will also be linked to the service
facilities so that the goods can be left there and collected
after repairs.

11. ADDITIONA
L STEPS
4. Availability of trained manpower – Skilled manpower should be
available to take care of the repair and maintenance of the AP.
There should be a curriculum designed for the training of these
manpower.
5. The building and mobility facilities should be designed to take
care of the PwD-
Examples are providing siderails handles in the staircases,
providing of recorded voice simulations for the lifts so that the
persons with hearing impairment can easily identify his floor even
if he is unable to read clearly. Like in Metro the voice recorded
announcements should be made in all the Buses.

12. ADDITIONA
L STEPS
6. Removing of social stigma through
awareness programs-For example let the
elderly persons know that it is absolutely
normal to have night urination during deep
sleep and use of Diapers as night pants is
absolutely normal. Like we have used to
wearing eye glasses it is absolutely normal
to take help of crutches on aging. The
earlier we adopt the better it is. In other
words using assistive devices should be a
part of our lives. Use of AP should be
acceptable as a normal practice like wearing
eyeglasses.

13. ADDITIONA
L STEPS
7. Purchase high end and quality goods to encourage
manufacturers-
If we can afford and let us buy good quality stuff to
encourage manufacturer. Purchase always ISI Marked
products, if we can afford family should get an Electric
Powered wheelchair. It will boost up the self confidence of
the person using it. Similarly even if you don’t require
additional feature for use with disability we should buy the
product by paying a premium to motivate the manufacturer.

14. ADDITIONA
L STEPS
8. Start using the devices early- There are devices
which we can start using early to improve our
health from deteriorating. On a fracture use
appropriate slings for appropriate time. Use of
balls and others to improve grips, messagers for
foot should be normal and the like.
9. Manufacturers to use standards compliance-
Manufacturers need to comply with national and
international standards to provide quality goods
into the market.
10. Manufacturers to get registered with CDSCO
as the Medical Devices Rules are now mandatory.

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