Global Disability Innovation Hub

We’re excited to be at the EMPOWER Conference in India, where our team kicked off the day by moderating the opening session!   Later, the Global Disability Innovation Hub's Attvaran and the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP)co hosted an exciting pitch day in Thiruvananthapuram, India.   Attvaran is a collaborative effort between UniversityCollege London,UCL, the Global Disability Innovation Hub, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, and Indian Institute of Technology, Madras , with support from the UK Government’s #AT2030 program. In partnership with the National Centre for the Promotion of Employment of Disabled People (NCPEDP). This initiative aims to accelerate the growth of assistive technology (AT) solutions, driving greater accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities. It offers selected startups a unique platform to present their innovations to leading investors, angel funders, and grant providers.   The pitch event featured two parallel tracks—one focused on grant funding and the other targeting angel and venture capital investments:   The EMPOWER Conference brings together key stakeholders from the assistive technology ecosystem, including researchers, user organizations, businesses, and policymakers with expertise from prominent NGOs, technology incubators, and academic institutions to tackle challenges related to developing, manufacturing, and distributing of AT solutions assessing current solutions and ignite new research and innovation.   Indian Institute of Technology, Madras , Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi National Institute of Speech and Hearing, Karimanal, Akkulam, Thiruvananthapuram ), Kerala Startup Mission, Startup India, PVM Rao, Tigmanshu Bhatnagar, Justin Jesudas, Shantosh Cumarasurier, Ben Hardman, Catherine Holloway. #GDIHub #AT2030Programme #Disability #Inclusion #AT #London #Accessibility #AssistiveTechnology #InclusiveDesign #AssistiveTech #Innovation #AT #Design #Climate #Cities #Access #Accessibility #Equality #Inclusion #Tech #Research #Development #Sport #ParaSport #Sport #AI #Engineering #ICT #Prosthethics #Design #HearingAids #Wheelchairs #Glasses #Impairment 

This week we've been delighted to take the stage at #G7Italy, for the Ministers Meeting on Inclusion & Disability, with GDI Hub's Cara E. Yar Khan sharing reflections on a panel on Artificial Intelligence (AI). New technologies are an important tool to foster inclusive growth, sustainable development and well-being for all - with the session exploring opportunities and the role of innovation to change lives. Joining Cara on stage were panellists Jutta Treviranus, Dr. Annette Tabbara, Jürgen Dusel, Taryn Mackenzie Williams, Katarina Ivanković Knežević, and Pascal Bijleveld. During the G7 we also shared more about our upcoming Assistive Tech Growth Fund - our catalytic impact fund to harness tech to improve the lives of millions of people in low- & middle-income countries through private sector investments in life changing AT. Sponsored by FCDO through our AT2030 programme, the AT Growth Fund will bring together private and public capital to support early-stage impact-driven accessible and assistive technology ventures. The fund will strategically invest in transformative technologies and support entrepreneurial endeavours to empower persons with disabilities. Watch this space... Great to catch up with Sir Stephen Timms - UK Minister for Social Security and Disability, and meet South Africa's Minister for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga. #AT2030programme #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #Disability #Innovation #AT #Technology #Tech #Inclusion #Investment #Capital #Fund #Italy

Great morning at the Include Summit at Lee Valley VeloPark hearing from ParalympicsGB Director Anna Scott-Marshall & author Suzy Levy & Olympian Tess Howard Sharing reflections on the long-term impact of inclusion & access to sport. #GDIhub #Disability #Inclusion #Legacy #Sport #AT2030programme #Paralympics #Sport #Legacy #London

We were excited that our CEO, Iain McKinnon, joined the Include Summit as a keynote speaker to share more about the ongoing legacy of London 2012 and how, since being founded in it's legacy, we've now reached over 37 million. This year's Include summit, at one of London’s most iconic sporting venues, at the Lee Valley VeloPark, the award-winning, 6,000-seat stadium, where Sir Chris Hoy and Dame Sarah Storey, along with their Team GB and ParalympicsGB compatriots, set the London 2012 Games alight! The Include Summit is the UK’s largest conference focused on equality, diversity, and inclusion in #Sport. The Include Summit is a chance to hear from leading voices across the sector, to attend expert workshops, and to connect with others who are passionate about driving change. #BeyondSport #Paralympics #GDIHub #AT2030Programme #Disability #Inclusion #AT #London #Accessibility #AssistiveTechnology #InclusiveDesign #AssistiveTech #Innovation #AT #Design #Climate #Cities #Access #Accessibility #Equality #Inclusion #Tech #Research #Development #Sport #ParaSport #Sport #AI #Engineering #ICT #Prosthethics #Design #HearingAids #Wheelchairs #Glasses #Impairment 

🚨 Closing soon🚨 #GDIHub is looking for a Head of Research and Delivery (Parental Leave Cover) to lead our impactful research agenda and delivery work across projects. The holder of this role will lead the delivery of programmes, client-facing projects and research initiatives for #GDIHub CIC, working across the key themes of Disability Inclusion, Inclusive Design and Cities, Climate Change, Gender, Financial Inclusion and Assistive Technology. It is expected that the role holder will have considerable experience across at least two of these themes and an appetite for both broadening and deepening their knowledge across the others. They will also collaborate with research leads and teams based across GDI Hub including the Academic Research Centre (ARC) at UCL. This is a senior, strategic, role responsible for team management and leading key projects, leading client, donor and government relationships, and providing strategic subject matter expertise. It would suit someone with a proven-track record in the sector and requires a strong aptitude for strategic thinking, delivery management and the creation of tenable and evidence-based recommendations. They will be creative and collaborative with a drive to make the world a fairer place, inspiring others to do the same. 📌 Apply now through the link below! 🔗 bit.ly/3MOfBRc #GDIHub #AT2030 #DisabilityInnovation #InclusiveDesign #AssistiveTechnology #ResearchAndDelivery #CareerOpportunity

Calling start-ups for Assistive Technology Pitch event.  National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People The Global Disability Innovation Hub (#GDIHub) and @National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People(NCPEDP) will co-host a Demo Day for Assistive Technology Start-ups at EMPOWER 2024 in Thiruvananthapuram, India. This is designed to accelerate the growth of AT solutions, focusing on improving accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities. It will be a unique platform for shortlisted startups to pitch their innovations to leading investors, angel funders, and grant providers. We are seeking all ventures to apply to join this pitching opportunity, which will have two parallel pitching sessions—one for grant funding and another for angel and venture capital investment. ➡️ Win grants of up to 5 Lakhs from NCPEDP for early-stage ventures or opportunities to get your innovation in front of investors for pre-seed and seed-stage investment. ➡️ Application deadline for start-ups: 6th Oct 2024 ➡️ Apply now: https://lnkd.in/exy629ys   Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, Indian Institute of Technology, Madras,National Institute of Speech and Hearing (NISH), Trivandrum, India, Kerala Startup Mission, Startup India, PVM Rao, Tigmanshu Bhatnagar, Justin Jesudas, Shantosh Cumarasurier #GDIHub #AT2030Programme #Disability #Inclusion #AT #London #Accessibility #AssistiveTechnology #InclusiveDesign #AssistiveTech #Innovation #AT #Design #Climate #Cities #Access #Accessibility #Equality #Inclusion #Tech #Research #Development #Sport #ParaSport #Sport #AI #Engineering #ICT #Prosthethics #Design #HearingAids #Wheelchairs #Glasses #Impairment

⭐ The ‘third wheel’: bringing sustainable e-mobility to wheelchair users in Nairobi. ⭐ In Kenya, 42% of people with disabilities face mobility challenges, yet the country's urban environments remain largely inaccessible. That’s around 400,000 citizens with mobility impairments tackling uneven roads, inadequate public transport, and inaccessible infrastructure, becoming further isolated.  Addressing these gaps is crucial to creating an inclusive, accessible future in Nairobi. This is the mission we’re working to on our pilot project: Smart Mobility. This project, ideated by Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Pioneers Anne MacKinnon and Dr. Jacqueline Owigo (PhD), is part of an effort to leverage cutting-edge technology and digital tools to tackle some of the world’s most pressing challenges. It brings in critical subject matter expertise from the Global Disability Innovation Hub (#GDIHub), who have partnered with the Frontier Tech Hub to test and learn what is possible. This project builds on research on accessibility in cities and AT innovation from the FCDO-funded #AT2030Programme and is receiving ongoing support via AT2030 to maximise impact and evidence-based solutions. Check out the latest insights from Frontier Tech Hub to learn how partnerships and forward-thinking innovations are driving this exciting movement! 🔗 https://bit.ly/47GVHkw Annamae Muldowney, Iain McKinnon,Daniel Hajas, #AT2030programme #AT #Disability #Innovation #Tech #Kenya #Accessibility

🔴 Exciting opportunity! We're seeking an experienced General Partner (investment fund manager) to build on our success supporting companies ready to scale that are already changing the way people live, learn, and work. The Accessible & Assistive Technology Growth Fund (AT Growth Fund) is a catalytic impact fund that will harness technology to improve the lives of millions of people in low- and middle-income countries. Our goal is to drive innovation, accessibility, and inclusivity through investments in life changing accessible and assistive technologies. Why join us? - Accelerating Demand: By 2030, 3.5 billion people worldwide will need AT, often using cutting edge innovation. - GDI Hub as Fund Partner: Access a network of experts and the leading global organizations in the innovation and AT ecosystem and a pipeline of investible ventures. - De-Risking: The fund concept has undergone through an extensive design phase and is supported by FCDO as sponsor. What We’re Looking For: - Proven track record - Leadership and strategic decision-making skills. - Passion for driving social impact and fostering inclusive growth. General Partners are invited to access the RfP and supportive materials via our website: bit.ly/3ZwQUQP The deadline is 18:00 BST, 27th September 2024. Cara E. Yar Khan, Ben Hardman, Iain McKinnon #AT2030programme #GDIHub #AssistiveTech #ImpactInvestment #InclusiveInnovation #DisabilityInclusion #ATGrowthFund #AT2030 #SocialImpact

🔴 We're recruiting! Head of Research and Delivery (Parental Leave Cover). This role will lead the delivery of programmes, client-facing projects and research initiatives for GDI Hub Community Interest Company, working across the key themes of Disability Inclusion, Inclusive Design and Cities, Climate Change, Gender, Financial Inclusion and Assistive Technology. This is a senior, strategic, role responsible for team management and leading key projects, leading client, donor and government relationships, and providing strategic subject matter expertise. It would suit someone with a proven-track record in the sector and requires a strong aptitude for strategic thinking, delivery management and the creation of tenable and evidence-based recommendations. Parental leave cover (11 months full-time, fixed term). To apply submit your CV and covering letter by noon (GMT) on ; 🗓 Wednesday, 9th October 2024. We will be considering applications on a rolling basis, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. ⏰ Start date: December 1st, 2024. GDI Hub accelerates ideas into impact for a more just world - for disabled people, and all people. We are a world leading delivery and practice centre, an Academic Research Centre at UCL (University College London) and the first WHO Global Collaborating Centre on Assistive Technology (AT). Click the link below to learn more and apply! 🔗 bit.ly/3MOfBRc #GDIHub #AT2030Programme #Disability #Inclusion #AT #London #Accessibility #AssistiveTechnology #InclusiveDesign #AssistiveTech #Innovation #AT #Design #Climate #Cities #Access #Accessibility #Equality #Inclusion #Tech #Research #Development #Sport #ParaSport #Sport #AI #Engineering #ICT #Prosthethics #Design #HearingAids #Wheelchairs #Glasses #Impairment 

We had an exciting session at the #SummitofTheFuture as we discussed Multi-stakeholder partnerships in Assistive Technology and Education: transforming education and employment opportunities for children and young people with disabilities. The session featured a diverse group of speakers sharing real-world solutions. Keynotes and panel discussions will address challenges and opportunities in assistive technology, particularly in education and employment. Young people with lived experience will also share personal stories, underscoring the critical role of assistive technology in their education. Globally, children with disabilities are among the most marginalized in access to education. Many children and young people who need assistive technology but do not have it are more likely to be out of school than those who do, and commonly do not receive the education they need. Inclusion is key to realize the promise of the SDGs and leave no one behind. There will not be full inclusion while children are unable to participate and learn, including due to limited access to assistive technology (AT). Therefore, building inclusive education systems where each child is safe at school and can fully participate and learn is essential. During the session, our COO Noah Bernstein mentioned that "Significant progress has been made in understanding the challenges... but there are gaps in knowledge and much more research is needed to understand the long term impact of exclusion" This session was organized by ATscale, the Global Partnership for Assistive Technology, UNOPS, Governmentof Rwanda International Disability Alliance (IDA) Global Disability Innovation Hub (#GDIHub) UNICEF, and Global Partnership for Education (GPE). You can catch the recorded session on the link below: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gnutQw4v #GDIHub #AT2030Programme #Disability #Inclusion #AT #London #Accessibility #AssistiveTechnology #InclusiveDesign #AssistiveTech #Innovation #AT #Design #Climate #Cities #Access #Accessibility #Equality #Inclusion #Tech #Research #Development #Sport #ParaSport #Sport #AI #Engineering #ICT #Prosthethics #Design #HearingAids #Wheelchairs #Glasses #Impairment