Expression of Interest (EOI) to Strengthen Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology services in Low- and Middle-Income Countries from Latin America (2024-2027)

Background:

Globally, one in three people today are estimated to be living with a health condition that would benefit from rehabilitation. This need is predicted to increase in the coming years as people are living longer and more people are living with chronic diseases, such as diabetes, stroke, and cancer. In addition, today, over 2.5 billion people need at least one form of AT – such as wheelchairs, glasses, or hearing aids – but in some countries, as few as 3 per cent have access to the AT they require. The number of people requiring AT is expected to grow to more than 3.4 billion by 2050. Emergencies – including conflicts, disasters, and outbreaks – can all create surges in rehabilitation and AT needs.

Access to appropriate rehabilitation and AT enables people with functional limitations, impairment, disabilities, and non-communicable diseases, as well as the ageing population, to participate in education, work, and family and community life. Lack of access to rehabilitation and AT has significant consequences for individuals, their families, and wider society. Without rehabilitation and AT services, individuals may experience isolation and exclusion from education, the labour market, and civic life.

ATscale, the Global Partnership for AT, was developed in response to the need for a new, catalytic approach to overcoming the significant gap in access to appropriate, high-quality, and affordable AT globally. It is a cross-sectoral partnership for AT that is intended to bring greater resources and strategic focus to this significant global challenge. ATscale’s goal is to reach 500 million additional people globally with life-changing AT by 2030. The partnership seeks to harness civil society, governments, development partners, and the private sector to catalyse the optimal use of much-needed resources. 

Objective of EOI:

This Expression of Interest (EOI) aims to seek interest from eligible LMICs in Latin America for funding from ATscale, focused on strengthening rehabilitation and AT systems and services for people with mobility-related injuries and disabilities. The fund is intended to support government-led programmes or interventions on rehabilitation and AT systems and services to improve the lives of affected populations, including conflict-affected people in this region. Detailed information on the scope of funding, review and selection process, the type of activities covered, and the requisite processes that need to be followed to register interest are included in the document.