AUTHOR=Shi Guanming , Ke Shiyao , Banozic Adriana 

TITLE=The Role of Assistive Technology in Advancing Sustainable Development Goals

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Political Science

VOLUME=Volume 4 - 2022

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/political-science/articles/10.3389/fpos.2022.859272

DOI=10.3389/fpos.2022.859272

ISSN=2673-3145

ABSTRACT=Assistive technologies (AT) have presented significant equalizing opportunities for many to access opportunities and meaningfully participate in society. Enhancing the impact of AT in enabling participation requires an individualized and holistic understanding of the value and meaning of AT for the individual in their unique context. In Southeast Asia (SEA), children with disabilities account for a significant proportion of the population. WHO reported that South-East Asia Region was reported to have the second-highest prevalence of moderate disability (16%) and the third-highest prevalence of severe disability (2.9%). Assistive technology (AT) can play a significant role in achieving sustainable development goals and enabling all children with disabilities to lead healthy, productive, independent, and dignified lives. In this paper, we discuss case studies of how AT can advance Sustainable Development Goals in SEA, focusing on the role of AT in providing quality education (SDG4), improving health and well-being (SDG3), and reducing inequalities (SDG10) for children with disabilities in SEA. We also explore how access to AT can be improved in SEA countries by examining different government initiatives and their gaps.