ABSTRACT

The World Health Organization (WHO) Disability and Rehabilitation Action Plan 20062011 (2006) reports that approximately 10% of the world’s population experiences some form of temporary or permanent disability. This document highlights that assistive technology (AT) may be a helpful aid for people with disabilities “to increase their level of independence in their daily living and to exercise their rights” (WHO 2006, p. 5). To achieve this goal, it is necessary to further the development, production, distribution, and support to use AT. In particular, the aims of the WHO are to

• Support member states to develop national policies on AT; • Support member states to train personnel at various levels in the field of AT,

especially in prosthetics and orthotics; and • Promote research on assistive technology and facilitate transfer of technology.