The informal economy as a provider of assistive technology

Lessons from Indonesia and Sierra Leone

Bibliographic Data

ID22944901
AuthorsJulian Walker (0000-0002-4790-650X, Development Planning Unit, University College London , London, UK, corresponding author), Emma Tebbutt (0000-0002-7707-0758, Assistive Technology Team, World Health Organization , Geneva, Switzerland)
Year2023
Volume38
Issue3
Publication date2023-06-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueHealth Promotion International (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0957-4824 • E-ISSN: 1460-2245
PublisherOxford University Press (OUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1093/heapro/daac005
PMID35134943
OpenAlexW4210288835
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited21

Promoting the use of assistive technology (AT) is crucial for the health and well-being of users, but there is a huge global problem of unmet need for AT. In this context informal (unregulated) providers of AT play a significant role of meeting AT user need, particularly in less-resourced settings. This study draws on research into formal and informal AT provision in low-income urban communities in Indonesia and Sierra Leone to explore the potential of informal providers in addressing unmet need. Specifically, it looks at the different performance of formal and informal providers regarding the availability and the adequacy of AT that they provide. The study concludes by proposing further research into the scope for coproduction of AT between formal and informal providers.

Business · Context (archaeology) · Coproduction · Economic growth · Economics · Informal sector · Internet privacy · Political science · Product (mathematics) · Public relations · Scope (computer science) · Service (business) · Service provider · Sierra leone · Socioeconomics · Sociology · Assistive Technology in Communication and Mobility · Computer Science · Family and Disability Support Research · Innovative Approaches in Technology and Social Development · Marketing

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access