Introduction More than 2.5 billion people worldwide currently require at least one form of assistive technology, a number projected to exceed 3.5 billion by 2050 as populations age and noncommunicable diseases become more prevalent. In Asia and the Pacific, approximately 750 million people—16% of the population—require assistive technology to support their functional abilities and participation in society. Assistive technology ranges from everyday products such as glasses, canes, and Braille materials to advanced solutions, including artificial intelligence-powered vision systems and virtual reality rehabilitation tools. These can be particularly important for people living with noncommunicable diseases such as diabetes, which can cause complications including vision loss, amputations, and mobility limitations. However, the assistive technology needs of people living with noncommunicable diseases have not received sufficient attention, despite the role these products and services can play in supporting their independence. Why Does Assistive Technology Matter? Assistive technology is not only a social and public health imperative but also a sound economic investment. By enabling greater educational attainment, workforce participation, and productivity, assistive products and services could generate substantial benefits for individuals, families, communities, and economies. Globally, improved access to assistive technology could yield more than $10 trillion in economic benefits by 2075. Evidence suggests that every dollar invested in assistive technology can generate an estimated return of $9. Despite a 2018 World Health Assembly resolution recognizing the importance of assistive products, this has not translated into sufficient attention to assistive technology needs linked to noncommunicable diseases. Integrating assistive technology into primary care, rehabilitation, home- and community-based services, and long-term care can help address these needs and support functional ability throughout life, including in older age. Significant inequalities in access remain worldwide. While nearly 90% of people in high-income countries have access to the assistive technology they need, coverage remains below 3% in many low- and middle-income countries. These disparities highlight the need to make assistive technology a more integral part of health systems. What Limits Access to Assistive Technology? Awareness and stigma. Limited awareness, social stigma, and demographic inequalities continue to affect the adoption of assistive technology. Older adults, who are among those who may experience functional limitations associated with noncommunicable disease-related disabilities, may be reluctant to use assistive technologies due to concerns about privacy, safety, and trust in technology. Gender and age-related disparities can further influence access and acceptance. Caregivers may also lack adequate training, confidence, or familiarity with technology-assisted care, limiting the effective use of assistive technology for dementia care, mobility support, medication management, and other long-term care needs. Financing and affordability. Financial coverage for rehabilitation services and assistive products remains limited, fragmented, and underprioritized. Rehabilitation and assistive technology financing are often poorly integrated into national health financing systems and are frequently separated from social protection and disability support systems. Support comes from multiple uncoordinated sources, including government agencies, insurance schemes, grants, and donors. This fragmentation can lead to inefficient resource allocation, duplication of efforts, and gaps in service coverage. Limited policy support. Assistive technologies are often not sufficiently prioritized within health systems, resulting in inadequate investment in assistive products and related services. They are also not always reflected in national aging policies, disability inclusion plans, or rehabilitation plans. Short political cycles, frequent leadership changes, limited long-term planning, and weak accountability and coordination mechanisms can hinder sustained investment and efforts to improve access. Product availability and private sector investment. Despite the high need for assistive technology, private sector engagement remains limited due to low awareness, insufficient market demand, and inadequate consideration of user preferences in product design. Population aging creates growing demand for affordable, age-friendly, and user-centered assistive technology, including mobility devices, home adaptations, remote monitoring tools, and caregiver-support technologies. However, limited technology transfer, low production capacity, and small commercial margins also discourage manufacturers from investing in assistive technology development. In smaller markets, limited purchasing power contributes to higher costs and inconsistent availability of assistive products. How Can Access Be Improved? Raise awareness and challenge stigmasAddressing the stigma associated with assistive technology requires public awareness and education efforts. Engaging users, caregivers, policymakers, service providers, and communities can help challenge misconceptions and improve understanding of the benefits of assistive products and services. Such efforts can encourage people to use assistive technology as a means of empowerment rather than a sign of incapacity or dependence. Integrate assistive technology into health financingIntegrating assistive technology into national health financing schemes can help make essential products more affordable. One approach is to prioritize high-demand products such as mobility aids, spectacles, hearing aids, and prosthetics, and potentially include essential assistive products in national health benefit packages. Government co-financing can help reduce the reliance on ad hoc donations and establish more sustainable funding. Leverage digital health and innovation Digital health approaches offer opportunities to expand access to assistive technology, particularly in remote and underserved communities. Solutions such as remote assistive technology assessments, tele-rehabilitation, remote fitting services for hearing and vision aids, and digital follow-up systems for prosthetic users can help overcome geographic barriers. Emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, may also support the development of advanced assistive solutions that are affordable. Strengthen regulation, procurement, supply chains Effective regulations, product standards, and quality assurance systems are essential for ensuring the availability of safe, effective, and affordable assistive technology. Strengthening procurement standards, improving workforce training and certification programs, and implementing supportive policies such as tax exemptions or concessions can further improve access and affordability. Stronger procurement and supply-chain systems can help improve the availability of assistive products and make markets more viable for manufacturers and distributors. Investment in repair, maintenance, and follow-up services is equally important for ensuring assistive products remain usable beyond the initial purchase. Harness regional cooperationRegional cooperation can accelerate progress through the sharing of standards, pooled procurement mechanisms, technology transfer, joint research and innovation, and the exchange of good practices. Approaches such as these may help lower costs and improve the availability of assistive products, particularly in small and developing member countries. Note: This article draws on research prepared by the PATH team for the Asian Development Bank’s Sustainable Development Working Paper No. 123, Assistive Technologies for Noncommunicable Disease-Related Disabilities. It was presented at the ADB and Republic of Korea National Health Insurance Services Workshop on Technology Solutions for Noncommunicable Diseases. Ask the Experts Vasoontara S. Yiengprugsawan Senior Universal Health Coverage Specialist (Service Delivery), Human and Social Development Office, Sectors Department 3, Asian Development Bank Dr. Vasoontara Yiengprugsawan oversees ADB's health technical assistance, including noncommunicable diseases and mental health and regional cooperation in the Greater Mekong Subregion and BIMP-EAGA. She has held senior health research positions in Australia, a WHO Fellowship with the Asia Pacific Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, and worked in policy and research with a UN Migration Agency in Geneva. She holds a PhD in Epidemiology from Australian National University and an MA in International Development from Syracuse University. Follow Vasoontara S. Yiengprugsawan on Yesle Kim Health Specialist, Sectors Department 3, Asian Development Bank Yesle Kim works on medical education and the health workforce, with a focus on nursing. Before joining ADB, she worked on health systems, financing, and social protection across public, nonprofit, private, and multilateral organizations in Asia, Africa, and Europe, including the International Labour Organization and UNICEF. She holds a master’s degree in public health from the French School of Public Health and a bachelor’s degree from Jawaharlal Nehru University. Emiko Masaki Principal Health Specialist, Sectors Department 3, Asian Development Bank Emiko Masaki has nearly 20 years of experience in health and social sector program development, policy advisory, and regional cooperation in Asia. She leads ADB’s engagement on nutrition, healthy aging, and long-term care. Previously, she was a senior economist at the World Bank, working on lending operations and analytical research, including health taxes. She holds a PhD and a master’s degree in health economics and demography from the University of California, Berkeley. 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