Local Systems Strengthening

Strengthening Local Systems for Assistive Technology

Assistive technology (AT) plays a vital role in improving the lives of people with disabilities. However, AT is often produced far from the communities that need it most. Long global supply chains, limited customisation options, and the need for ongoing repairs or spare parts can make it difficult for individuals to access appropriate, timely support. Our work in local systems strengthening aims to address these challenges by collaborating directly with local manufacturers and individuals with lived experience of disability.

Current Challenges

Globalisation and mass manufacturing have undoubtedly driven progress in AT, enabling the development and distribution of products at scale. However, this model also presents significant limitations. Products made in distant locations often cannot be tailored to individual needs, and access to repairs or spare parts can be delayed or entirely unavailable. Additionally, expertise and manufacturing capabilities are often concentrated in specific regions, leaving many countries, especially low- and middle-income ones, dependent and vulnerable.

There are also sustainability concerns. Relying heavily on imports and exports raises costs and introduces logistical barriers and complicates the recovery and reuse of materials once a product reaches the end of its lifecycle.

Building Resilient Local AT Ecosystems

In response, our team is working globally to strengthen local systems so that some aspects of AT production and maintenance can be carried out closer to the user. The goal is not to replace the global model, but to complement it by addressing its gaps. We are exploring how local innovation and manufacturing can support AT supply in a more agile, personalised, and sustainable way.

This approach involves mapping existing production capacities in different regions and connecting them in collaborative, decentralised networks. Rather than building entirely new manufacturing facilities, we seek to leverage and adapt current local infrastructure. Many communities already have skilled engineers and technicians, but their expertise is often applied to unrelated industries. We can create resilient, self-sustaining ecosystems by harnessing this local talent and integrating AT manufacturing into existing systems.

The Impact of this Work

Collaborative manufacturing models offer a powerful path forward. When local actors are involved in production, communities gain increased access to AT and opportunities for economic growth, skill development, and long-term resilience. This participatory model also ensures that solutions are grounded in real-world experience and tailored to local needs.

Next Steps

Our next phase is to expand this work, especially in low- and middle-income countries, by continuing to improve and invest in local AT ecosystems. By partnering with communities, governments, and innovators worldwide, we aim to build a more inclusive, responsive, and sustainable AT supply system that empowers people with disabilities and strengthens local capacity for the future.

Publications

• Locally Produced Prosthetics in Nepal (2025)
• Enabling Access Locally: A Systems Approach to Wheelchair Provisioning in Low-Resource Contexts (Nepal) (2023)
• Community-led solutions: Assistive Technologies in Informal Settlements in Sierra Leone and Indonesia (2020)