Posted on September 30, 2026
On September 2, 2026, the United National General Assembly adopted a resolution called Access to Assistive Technology. The resolution was drafted and negotiated by Ms. Saima Saleen, Pakistan’s first blind career diplomat. This resolution recognized the need to make assistive technology more affordable and to integrate it into national systems, including healthcare, education, employment, and social services. The resolution recognized that access to assistive technologies such as screen readers, prosthetics, hearing aids, wheelchairs, and more supports quality education, reduces inequality, and improves well-being. The resolution showed international consensus that can be used as a tool for supporting national legislation and policy reforms regarding assistive technology. The resolution also calls upon Member States and the United Nations to invest in and support global efforts to provide technical and economic assistance to achieve universal access to assistive technologies.
ACB appreciates this resolution as a positive step toward an accessible future for all, as assistive technology provides a strong foundation for users to build independent lives with equal access to education, healthcare, and full participation in society.
Agenda Item 25, Access to Assistive Technology, can be found at the following link:
A press release of the UN’s adoption of the resolution on Access to Assistive Technology, including the list of member states who co-sponsored the resolution, can be found at the following link: