The World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) have launched the “Equipped for Equity” campaign during the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. This initiative aims to highlight the transformative impact of assistive technology on the lives of athletes with disabilities. The campaign advocates for global action to improve access to these essential health products, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their location, can benefit from the tools that facilitate participation and independence.
The Role of Assistive Technology in Sports
Assistive technology plays a crucial role in enabling Paralympic athletes to compete at the highest level. These technologies, such as running blades, wheelchairs, and prosthetics, allow athletes to showcase their extraordinary skills and inspire millions around the world. The “Equipped for Equity” campaign emphasizes the importance of these tools not only in sports but also in daily life.
The campaign calls for global action to address the disparities in access to assistive technology. Many people around the world still do not have access to these essential products due to high costs and low availability. By advocating for reduced taxes and integrating assistive technology into primary health care, the campaign aims to ensure that everyone can lead a full and independent life.
Throughout the Paralympic Games, WHO and IPC will feature daily posts on the role of assistive technology in sports and beyond. These posts will include personal stories from athletes, highlighting how these technologies empower them to achieve their best both on and off the field.
Global Inequities in Access to Assistive Technology
Despite the critical role of assistive technology, global inequities in access remain a significant challenge. WHO estimates that more than 2.5 billion people worldwide need assistive technology, yet only a fraction have access to it. For example, only 5-35% of the 80 million people who need a wheelchair have access to one, depending on where they live.
The “Equipped for Equity” campaign calls on governments to remove barriers such as high taxes on assistive products. By integrating access to these technologies into Universal Health Coverage, the campaign aims to ensure that everyone, regardless of their location, can benefit from the tools that facilitate participation and independence.
National initiatives, such as tax exemptions in Zimbabwe and pre-Paralympic tax reductions in France and Japan, serve as models for global adoption. These efforts demonstrate the potential for policy advancements to improve access to assistive technology and support the inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of life.
Personal Stories of Empowerment
The “Equipped for Equity” campaign will feature personal stories from Paralympic athletes who rely on assistive technology. These stories will highlight how these technologies empower athletes to achieve their best both in sports and in their daily lives. By sharing these experiences, the campaign aims to inspire others and advocate for greater access to assistive technology worldwide.
Athletes like those competing in the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games demonstrate the incredible potential of assistive technology. Their achievements showcase the importance of these tools in enabling participation and independence. However, many people around the world still face barriers to accessing these essential products.
The campaign calls for global action to address these disparities and ensure that everyone, regardless of their location, can benefit from the tools that facilitate participation and independence. By advocating for reduced taxes and integrating assistive technology into primary health care, the campaign aims to ensure that everyone can lead a full and independent life.
