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- Equipped for equity: WHO-IPC Paris 2024 Paralympic Games campaign
OIS/Simon Bruty
© Credits
28 August – 9 September 2024
Campaign overview
Assistive technology plays a crucial role in enabling Paralympic athletes to compete at the highest level, showcasing their extraordinary skills and inspiring millions. However, global inequities in access to these essential health products remain a significant challenge. The \"Equipped for equity\" campaign calls for global action to address these disparities and ensure that everyone, regardless of their location, has access to the assistive technology they need to live full and independent lives.
The campaign aims to:
- Highlight the impact of assistive technology on the lives of those requiring them.
- Urge governments to remove barriers, such as high taxes on assistive products, and integrate access into Universal Health Coverage.
- Showcase national initiatives, like tax exemptions in Zimbabwe and pre-Paralympic tax reductions in France and Japan, as models for global adoption.
Calls to action
The \"Equipped for equity\" campaign is more than a spotlight on the Paralympics—it's a call to action for governments worldwide. We urge policymakers to:
- Remove barriers: reduce or eliminate taxes on assistive technology.
- Invest in access: integrate assistive technology into primary health care and Universal Health Coverage.
- Champion equity: ensure that everyone, everywhere, has access to the assistive technology they need.
Daily highlights
Throughout the Paralympic Games, WHO and IPC will feature daily posts on the role of assistive technology in sports and beyond. Follow us as we share:
- What assistive technology is, including devices like wheelchairs, prosthetics, and hearing aids, and learn how these tools support individuals in competitive sports as well as in their daily lives.
- Personal stories from Paralympic athletes about how assistive technology empowers them to achieve their best, both on and off the field.
- Examples of national efforts to improve access to assistive technology, such as recent tax exemptions and policy advancements.
Follow the campaign
Stay engaged with our daily posts on WHO’s and GATE's X, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook channels.
Join the conversation using #ATChangesLives and #Paralympics
WHO thanks the Government of Ireland for their support in making the 'Equipped for equity' campaign possible and helping to promote better access to assistive technology worldwide through their partnership with WHO.
Why assistive technology matters
Assistive technology is crucial for empowering individuals and enhancing their quality of life, as showcased by the remarkable athletes competing in the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. These technologies enable athletes to excel and inspire millions around the world. However, access remains a significant challenge:
- In some low-income countries, only 3% of people have the assistive products they need, compared to up to 90% in some high-income countries.
- Just 5-35% of those needing wheelchairs and 10% of those needing hearing aids have access to them.
- With an ageing population and rising chronic health conditions, 3.5 billion people will need assistive technology by 2050.
Assistive technology is particularly vital for:
- Older adults, to maintain independence and improve daily life;
- Children and adults with disabilities, to fully engage in education, work, and daily activities;
- People with long-term health conditions, such as diabetes, stroke, and dementia, to manage their health effectively and independently.
As we celebrate the incredible achievements at the Paralympics, it’s clear that access to assistive technology transforms lives. Integrating these technologies into universal health coverage is essential. This step will not only enhance individual lives but also foster a more inclusive and equitable society for all.
Explore more
Assistive technology fact sheet
IPC, WHO sign MOU to cooperate in the promotion of diversity and equity in health and sports
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The World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) are launching the "Equipped for equity" campaign during the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, running from 28 August to 9 September 2024. The Paralympic Games, renowned for showcasing the extraordinary talents of athletes with disabilities, highlight the critical role of assistive technology in their achievements. This campaign aims to celebrate the transformative impact of these technologies, not only in sports but also in daily life. Through this initiative, we advocate for global action to break down barriers to access to assistive technology, ensuring that everyone can benefit from the tools that facilitate participation and independence.
Read the WHO press release here.
Campaign overview
Assistive technology plays a crucial role in enabling Paralympic athletes to compete at the highest level, showcasing their extraordinary skills and inspiring millions. However, global inequities in access to these essential health products remain a significant challenge. The "Equipped for equity" campaign calls for global action to address these disparities and ensure that everyone, regardless of their location, has access to the assistive technology they need to live full and independent lives.
The campaign aims to:
- Highlight the impact of assistive technology on the lives of those requiring them.
- Urge governments to remove barriers, such as high taxes on assistive products, and integrate access into Universal Health Coverage.
- Showcase national initiatives, like tax exemptions in Zimbabwe and pre-Paralympic tax reductions in France and Japan, as models for global adoption.
Calls to action
The "Equipped for equity" campaign is more than a spotlight on the Paralympics—it's a call to action for governments worldwide. We urge policymakers to:
- Remove barriers: reduce or eliminate taxes on assistive technology.
- Invest in access: integrate assistive technology into primary health care and Universal Health Coverage.
- Champion equity: ensure that everyone, everywhere, has access to the assistive technology they need.
Daily highlights
Throughout the Paralympic Games, WHO and IPC will feature daily posts on the role of assistive technology in sports and beyond. Follow us as we share:
- What assistive technology is, including devices like wheelchairs, prosthetics, and hearing aids, and learn how these tools support individuals in competitive sports as well as in their daily lives.
- Personal stories from Paralympic athletes about how assistive technology empowers them to achieve their best, both on and off the field.
- Examples of national efforts to improve access to assistive technology, such as recent tax exemptions and policy advancements.
Follow the campaign
Stay engaged with our daily posts on WHO’s and GATE's X, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook channels.
Join the conversation using #ATChangesLives and #Paralympics
WHO thanks the Government of Ireland for their support in making the 'Equipped for equity' campaign possible and helping to promote better access to assistive technology worldwide through their partnership with WHO.
Why assistive technology matters
Assistive technology is crucial for empowering individuals and enhancing their quality of life, as showcased by the remarkable athletes competing in the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. These technologies enable athletes to excel and inspire millions around the world. However, access remains a significant challenge:
- In some low-income countries, only 3% of people have the assistive products they need, compared to up to 90% in some high-income countries.
- Just 5-35% of those needing wheelchairs and 10% of those needing hearing aids have access to them.
- With an ageing population and rising chronic health conditions, 3.5 billion people will need assistive technology by 2050.
Assistive technology is particularly vital for:
- Older adults, to maintain independence and improve daily life;
- Children and adults with disabilities, to fully engage in education, work, and daily activities;
- People with long-term health conditions, such as diabetes, stroke, and dementia, to manage their health effectively and independently.
As we celebrate the incredible achievements at the Paralympics, it’s clear that access to assistive technology transforms lives. Integrating these technologies into universal health coverage is essential. This step will not only enhance individual lives but also foster a more inclusive and equitable society for all.
Explore more
Assistive technology fact sheet
IPC, WHO sign MOU to cooperate in the promotion of diversity and equity in health and sports
Related
Follow the campaign
Join the conversation using#ATChangesLivesand#Paralympics
News
Fact sheets
