Across the world, nine out of 10 persons suffering with disabilities or old age do not have access to the assistive devices that can help make their day-to-day life comfortable, as per the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Coming forward to bridge this gap, the global body  is in the process of developing a list of 50 most priority assistive devices frequently used by the people with disabilities and senior citizens. 

In this regard, on the lines of the its Essential Medicines List (EML), the world health agency has launched a first of its kind global survey where the WHO is asking the member States to gather people’s views on which assistive devices are most necessary and useful.

The survey follows observation that today, about one billion people need assistive technologies to lead a fuller life, either because they are elderly or because they have a disability. It is estimated that by 2050, two billion people will be requiring technologies to support them in their everyday life.

Presently, only 1 in 10 persons in need has access to the gadgets. Like the EML, the main goal of this initiative is to improve access to high-quality affordable assistive products.

The WHO Priority Assistive Products List (APL) whenever developed will help the member states to plan and focus efforts to help populations acquire the 50 priority products, thereby improving the everyday lives of the elderly and people with disabilities.

In India, number of people with disabilities has increased from 2.19 crore in 2001 to 2.68 crore in 2011, with majority of them living in the rural areas. Moreover, number of senior citizens is on rise because of increase in life expectancy rate.

According to the census, 20.3 per cent of the disabled are movement disabled followed by hearing impaired (18.9 per cent) and visually impaired (18.8 per cent). Nearly 5.6 per cent of the disabled population is mentally challenged, a classification introduced in the 2011 census.

Source: http://www.dailypioneer.com/nation/who-plans-assistive-devices-list-for-disabled.html