Using technology to enhance disability inclusive infrastructure

Setting the scene

The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that 15% of the world’s population lives with a disability, of which 80% live in a developing country. However, the gains of economic growth do not automatically flow to the most vulnerable, including those with disabilities. Infrastructure and cities have the potential to drive sustainable and transformative economic development that promotes equality, empowerment and economic inclusion.

How we helped

DFID announced it would host the first ever Global Disability Summit in July 2018, demonstrating their commitment to this issue. The DFID-funded Infrastructure and Cities for Economic Development (ICED) facility, which PwC UK manages, supported DFID in stimulating thinking on how their investments can be leveraged for greater disability inclusion. This included guidance and examples of how to design disability inclusion into key infrastructure sectors such as transport, energy, water, land and housing.

Leading up to the summit, PwC and DFID brought together representatives from the private and public sectors and Government to explore innovations in accessible and assistive technologies. Organisations showcasing at this disability and technology event included the BBC, whose use of virtual reality (VR) technology is helping neurotypical¹ people understand the experience of people with autism technologies in the workplace. Other examples included 3D printing technologies to create low cost prosthetics in developing countries.

The ICED facility currently has a mechanism in place to provide support to DFID priority country offices to integrate disability considerations into strategic programmes.

^{1. Not displaying or characterised by autistic or other neurologically atypical patterns of thought or behaviour.}