Network analysis of assistive technology stakeholders in Malawi
Background Assistive technologies promote participation and quality of life for people with disabilities and other functional limitations. There is a global call to develop and implement policies to improve access to assistive technologies. In response, a stakeholder led initiative in Malawi is work...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2022-12-01
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| Series: | Global Health Action |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/16549716.2021.2014046 |
| _version_ | 1797755674846822400 |
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| author | Emma M. Smith Ikenna D. Ebuenyi Juba Kafumba Monica Jamali-Phiri Alister Munthali Malcolm MacLachlan |
| author_facet | Emma M. Smith Ikenna D. Ebuenyi Juba Kafumba Monica Jamali-Phiri Alister Munthali Malcolm MacLachlan |
| author_sort | Emma M. Smith |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background Assistive technologies promote participation and quality of life for people with disabilities and other functional limitations. There is a global call to develop and implement policies to improve access to assistive technologies. In response, a stakeholder led initiative in Malawi is working towards the development of such a policy. Objective The objective of this study was to assess the existing network of stakeholders, and the strength of relationship between organizations who deliver assistive products and related services. Method We conducted a survey-based network analysis of assistive technology stakeholder organizations in Malawi. Results Stakeholders (n = 19) reported a range of connections, from no awareness to collaboration with organizations within the assistive technology network. No single organization or government ministry was most central to the network. International NGOs were less central to the network than local organizations for disabled people, service providers, and ministries. Conclusion The assistive technology stakeholder network in Malawi is distributed, with a range of responsibility across a variety of stakeholders, including three government ministries. An effective assistive technology policy must engage all stakeholders and may benefit from a collective leadership approach that spans the inter-sectoral need for a cohesive assistive technology system. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T17:50:34Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-71c992c187b64c0db6a5815e070e0ed1 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1654-9880 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T17:50:34Z |
| publishDate | 2022-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Global Health Action |
| spelling | doaj.art-71c992c187b64c0db6a5815e070e0ed12023-08-03T09:07:50ZengTaylor & Francis GroupGlobal Health Action1654-98802022-12-0115110.1080/16549716.2021.20140462014046Network analysis of assistive technology stakeholders in MalawiEmma M. Smith0Ikenna D. Ebuenyi1Juba Kafumba2Monica Jamali-Phiri3Alister Munthali4Malcolm MacLachlan5John Hume Building, Maynooth UniversityJohn Hume Building, Maynooth UniversityChancellor’s College, University of MalawiChancellor’s College, University of MalawiChancellor’s College, University of MalawiJohn Hume Building, Maynooth UniversityBackground Assistive technologies promote participation and quality of life for people with disabilities and other functional limitations. There is a global call to develop and implement policies to improve access to assistive technologies. In response, a stakeholder led initiative in Malawi is working towards the development of such a policy. Objective The objective of this study was to assess the existing network of stakeholders, and the strength of relationship between organizations who deliver assistive products and related services. Method We conducted a survey-based network analysis of assistive technology stakeholder organizations in Malawi. Results Stakeholders (n = 19) reported a range of connections, from no awareness to collaboration with organizations within the assistive technology network. No single organization or government ministry was most central to the network. International NGOs were less central to the network than local organizations for disabled people, service providers, and ministries. Conclusion The assistive technology stakeholder network in Malawi is distributed, with a range of responsibility across a variety of stakeholders, including three government ministries. An effective assistive technology policy must engage all stakeholders and may benefit from a collective leadership approach that spans the inter-sectoral need for a cohesive assistive technology system.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/16549716.2021.2014046self-help deviceslow and middle income countriesassistive productshealth policypolicy development |
| spellingShingle | Emma M. Smith Ikenna D. Ebuenyi Juba Kafumba Monica Jamali-Phiri Alister Munthali Malcolm MacLachlan Network analysis of assistive technology stakeholders in Malawi Global Health Action self-help devices low and middle income countries assistive products health policy policy development |
| title | Network analysis of assistive technology stakeholders in Malawi |
| title_full | Network analysis of assistive technology stakeholders in Malawi |
| title_fullStr | Network analysis of assistive technology stakeholders in Malawi |
| title_full_unstemmed | Network analysis of assistive technology stakeholders in Malawi |
| title_short | Network analysis of assistive technology stakeholders in Malawi |
| title_sort | network analysis of assistive technology stakeholders in malawi |
| topic | self-help devices low and middle income countries assistive products health policy policy development |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/16549716.2021.2014046 |
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