Opening the GATE to inclusion for people with disabilities

The most common examples of assistive products include wheelchairs, prosthetic and orthotic devices, and tricycles for people with mobility impairments; white canes, and software for computer-screen magnification or reading for people with visual impairments; hearing aids and cochlear implants for people with hearing impairments; speech synthesisers and communication boards for those with speech impairments; and symbol pictures and calendar pill boxes for people with cognitive impairments.5 At present, areas of great interest are the development of assistive products associated with dementia6 and provision of assistive products in low-income settings,7 where civil society organisations play a key part.