AssistiveTech
DISQovery’24- Innovate for AssistiveTech
Digital Impact Square’s ‘DISQovery 2024’ initiative in partnership with Startup India is a joint initiative, supported by Sahyadri Farms and Enable India to scout for
DISQcovery 2024 - Innovate for AssistiveTech
Digital Impact Square’s ‘DISQovery 2024’ initiative is looking for teams of young innovators with an entrepreneurial bent of mind, who want to turn an idea or a concept into a successful social enterprise and are willing to commit for the next 12-18 months to further their cause in Assistive Technologies.
CALLING FOR INNOVATIONS
As per WHO, Assistive Technology:
- Is an umbrella term covering the systems and services related to the delivery of assistive products and services.
- Enables people to live healthy, productive, independent and dignified lives
- Reduces the need for formal health and support services, long term care and work of caregivers
Today, only 1 in 10 people in need have access to assistive technology due to high costs and a lack of awareness, availability, trained personnel, policy, and financing.
Assistive Technology can significantly benefit:
- People with physical disabilities and people with cognitive disabilities
- Geriatric Population
- People with degenerative diseases that hamper mobility
- People with cognitive health conditions such as Dementia, Autism etc.
As per some estimates more than 1 billion people need some form of assistive products. With an ageing population, longer life spans and increasing cases of non-communicable diseases, this number is expected to double to 2 billion people by 2030.
The government of India enacted the “Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPWD) Act 2016” to ensure respect for inherent dignity, individual autonomy including the freedom to make one’s own choices, and independence of persons with disabilities. The RPWD Act enlists 21 types of disabilities. You can get more details here: https://wecapable.com/disabilities-list-rpwd-act-2016/
Digital Impact Square is looking for or bright innovators who may have detailed conceptual idea / early prototype/ MVP using digital technologies (such as IoT, Mobile/ Web, AI / ML, Sensors etc.), in the space of Assistive Technology that aim to address one or more of the disabilities listed in the RPWD Act including but not limited to:
1
Adaptive Technology
Technology specifically designed for people with disabilities
2
Occupational Therapy
Technology that helps individuals with challenges in performing tasks independently
3
Mobility Impairments
Technology that enable people to improve their motor skills for mobility
4
Visual and Hearing Impairments
Technology that enables people with visual and hearing impairments to lead independent lives
5
Cognitive Impairments
Technology that augments or assists cognitive functions such as memory, attention, navigation and learning
6
Digital Learning Platform or technologies
Specially adapted to enable remote /online learning for PwDs
7
Rehabilitation Solutions
Technology that enables persons with temporary or permanent disabilities to improve their physical and mental wellbeing through active rehabilitation practice.
8
Addressing Socializing Needs
Technology innovations that enable and encourage PwDs to enrich their lives by helping them understand. socialize and participate in recreational activities and beyond through contextual social networks
We are proud to have Enable India as our Domain Partner in this endeavor. With its vast experience and network in the Disability space, Enable India will help provide you with the right guidance and mentorship that will help you deeply understand the on-field challenges as well as co-create with users and experts to ensure you have the best possible solution to make an impact.
Exclusions: Any idea or product that involves the development of medical devices requiring regulatory clearances or multi-year clinical trials and / or invasive methods to solve a challenge
Open Challenges