National priority assistive product list development in low resource countries: lessons learned from Tajikistan.

Introduction: Developing a national assistive products list is an important part of an assistive technology policy and requires knowledge of total population need, and product costs and benefits; information is not always readily available in low-income countries. Our experience in Tajikistan of developing a national assistive products list provides guidance for others.

Methods: Two hundred people with disabilities participated in a survey on self-reported need for assistive products, user experiences and barriers to access; 12 focus groups, of over 100 people with disabilities and older adults, conducted discussions on assistive technology.

Sustainable and equitable provision of wheelchairs in low- and middle-income countries: an economic assessment of the models for wheelchair provision in Tajikistan.

Introduction: Reaching universal coverage of assistive technologies remains a challenge in many low- and middle-income countries. Tajikistan has recently adopted several policies and national strategies to strengthen the rights of people with disabilities and improve the provision of assistive products. However, Tajikistan faces a number of challenges, including ensuring sustainable funding for the provision of wheelchairs in the medium and long term.