TY - JOUR
T1 - An overview of assistive technology products and services provided in Malawi
AU - Smith, Emma M.
AU - Ebuenyi, Ikenna D.
AU - Kafumba, Juba
AU - Jamali-Phiri, Monica
AU - MacLachlan, Malcolm
AU - Munthali, Alister
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
PY - 2023/5/19
Y1 - 2023/5/19
N2 - Background: Assistive technology is the products and services used by individuals with functional limitations to enable participation in society and realisation of rights afforded by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The Assistive Product List is a comprehensive list of products identified as essential for access through universal health coverage. Key stakeholders, including organisations of persons with disabilities, civil service organisations, academic organisations and government ministries are collaborating to integrate assistive technology into policy and develop a priority assistive products list for Malawi. Objective: To understand the organisational characteristics of, and assistive products provided by, key stakeholders working in AT in Malawi. Study Design: Online survey of representatives from key stakeholder organisations. Methods: We surveyed representatives of key stakeholder organisations to gather information regarding assistive technology product and service provision in Malawi. Responses were analysed using counts for closed-ended questions, and conventional content analysis for open-ended questions. Results: A total of 36 of the 50 APL products were provided by eight organisations. Related services were provided for 36 of the 50 APL products by twelve organisations. Five organisations reported providing both products and services. Products and services are largely funded by donation and provided free to those who require them. Conclusion: A range of organisations in Malawi play a role in assistive product delivery and related services. Coordinated AP delivery and service provision is required at a national level which is sustainable and inclusive, and is based on identified needs of the Malawian population.Implications for rehabilitation Policies supporting assistive product and service provision must acknowledge the contextual needs of the communities where they are implemented. Coordination is required for assistive product and service provision at the national and subnational level. Existing and potential gaps in service provision must be addressed when implementing a national assistive products list.
AB - Background: Assistive technology is the products and services used by individuals with functional limitations to enable participation in society and realisation of rights afforded by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The Assistive Product List is a comprehensive list of products identified as essential for access through universal health coverage. Key stakeholders, including organisations of persons with disabilities, civil service organisations, academic organisations and government ministries are collaborating to integrate assistive technology into policy and develop a priority assistive products list for Malawi. Objective: To understand the organisational characteristics of, and assistive products provided by, key stakeholders working in AT in Malawi. Study Design: Online survey of representatives from key stakeholder organisations. Methods: We surveyed representatives of key stakeholder organisations to gather information regarding assistive technology product and service provision in Malawi. Responses were analysed using counts for closed-ended questions, and conventional content analysis for open-ended questions. Results: A total of 36 of the 50 APL products were provided by eight organisations. Related services were provided for 36 of the 50 APL products by twelve organisations. Five organisations reported providing both products and services. Products and services are largely funded by donation and provided free to those who require them. Conclusion: A range of organisations in Malawi play a role in assistive product delivery and related services. Coordinated AP delivery and service provision is required at a national level which is sustainable and inclusive, and is based on identified needs of the Malawian population.Implications for rehabilitation Policies supporting assistive product and service provision must acknowledge the contextual needs of the communities where they are implemented. Coordination is required for assistive product and service provision at the national and subnational level. Existing and potential gaps in service provision must be addressed when implementing a national assistive products list.
UR - https://doi.org/10.1080/17483107.2020.1854356
U2 - 10.1080/17483107.2020.1854356
DO - 10.1080/17483107.2020.1854356
M3 - Article
SN - 1748-3107
VL - 18
SP - 387
EP - 391
JO - Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology
JF - Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology
IS - 4
ER -
