Expanding the Availability of Assistive Devices in Latin America

RI is involved in a project called Intergenerational Enterprises for the Production of Assistive Technology for the Elderly & People with Disabilities, funded by the Swedish Government through the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). The project – conducted in collaboration with RI member The Swedish Handicap Institute – aims to contribute to increased independence of the elderly and disabled in Bolivia, Honduras, Panama and Peru by improving access to assistive devices, while contributing to poverty reduction through the creation of new ventures employing low-income older and disabled citizens as well as unemployed youth in the production, distribution and maintenance of these devices.

The first report of the market study on assistive devices shows that the need for assistive devices is very high, but the market is limited. Most products – 90% or more in some countries – are imported and more than 80% comes from the US. The devices, which are in many cases produced in China but exported to Latin America by US companies, are unaffordable for large segments of the population. In addition, very limited or non-existing local production leaves most people who need assistive devices without access to them, thereby isolating them from society. Foreign donations of assistive devices (e.g. wheelchairs) tend to hamper local production. The project hopes to stimulate local production of assistive devices not available or with limited supply in the existing markets.

The current phase of the study will focus on business plans for local production.

To learn more about projects and initiatives in the Latin America Region, contact:

Vice President

L.R.I. Francisco Cisneros-Rivero

Honorary President

Libre Acceso, A.C.

Olivar de los Padres 1144

Mexico, D.F. 01780

Tel.: +5559-2095 / Mobile: +044-55-2727-1726

E-mail: pacocisneros@prodigy.net.mx / paco@libreacceso.org

 

Deputy Vice President

Mr. Marcio Castro de Aguiar

Representative of Municipal Councils

CONADE

Explanada dos Ministerios, Bloco T

Anexo II, 2 andar – Sala 211

CEP: 70064 900 Brazilia, DF Brazil

Tel.: +0 61 429 3673  / 429 9219

Fax: + 0 61 3429 9967

E-mail: CONADE@sedh.gov.br  / MVIBRASIL@yahoogrupos.com.br