Unlocking Potential: The Transforming Power of Assistive Technology | Pascal Bijleveld | TEDxGVAGrad

According to the WHO, nearly a third of the world’s population requires at least one form of assistive technology. Despite this, there is a massive inequality gap leaving many without access to the assistive technology they need. Pascal Bijleveld presents access to safe, effective, and affordable assistive technology as a human right, and what each of us can do to push for a more equitable and inclusive world. Pascal Bijleveld joined ATscale as its first CEO in November 2021. Pascal brings to this partnership twenty years of leadership experience in global public health at country, regional and global levels. He has straddled the private and public sectors, embracing market-shaping strategies linked to deep systems transformations.
Most recently, Pascal was the Director of Country Support at Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. He led Gavi's largest team, responsible for country investments to drive greater coverage and equity in access to vaccines. In 2020/2021, Pascal also directed the Covid-19 vaccine delivery efforts across all Gavi-eligible countries under the auspices of the Covax Facility. From 2013 to 2017, he led the Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Strategy and Coordination Team, a multi-agency team hosted by UNICEF in New York. This team successfully managed a US$250 million trust fund used to support countries accelerate progress in reducing maternal and child mortality by making life-saving commodities more accessible through innovative market-shaping approaches. In this role, Pascal also co-led with the World Bank, the business development team that established the Global Financing Facility.
Before moving to New York, Pascal spent several years in Africa with the Clinton Health Access Initiative as Country Director in Rwanda; Regional Director for West & Central Africa based out of Ghana; and as Executive Vice-President for health systems strengthening work, focusing in particular on health financing, based out of Kenya.
From 2003 to 2007, he worked for the World Health Organization in Geneva as advisor to the Assistant Director General for General Management and acting Director General.
As a management consultant with McKinsey & Co., from 2000 to 2003, Pascal spent a year helping launch the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria.

[impactangels]

I was brought to tears at House of Balance Davos this year by the presentation from this amazing CEO. What a beautiful and deeply inspiring mission!! ❤

[damiengauthier]

Very well said, this is an invisible issue that nobody is actually really talking about. Closing the assistive tech gap is like upgrading humanity's software – let's ensure everyone gets the update they deserve! 💡

[martio]

Pascal, with the biggest respect to everything you do and who you are as one of the best Advocate for health, I am super grateful for being able to work with you and see how you expand the knowledge of AT to all of the partners you get to see and talk to! Continue doing it and great results are coming very soon!

[BarbaraGOEDDE]

Great and concise summary of the problem - now let's work together to make Assistive Technology accessible to everyone everywhere

[bausholl]

What an amazing summation of the issue. Assistive Technology really is important for so many people who don't realize its true power.

[sazminnisha]

Great talk! Assistive devices is an essential part of any service provider that deals with clients with disabilities.

[janemiano]

Very useful report for raising awareness on the current situation of Assistive Technology.

[jennifermarsden]

Well done all you working on this. A very good cause

[rebeccamatter]

Excellent video in highlighting the level of disparity in accessing AT depending of where you live in the world. 'AT concerns all of us'.

[safokalandarov]

Very powerful! Ghulomali Nazarov (R.I.P) was our man 😔

[RemarkableTechChannel]

Awesome work again Pascal and the whole team from ATScale. We're with you in this movement and to work towards this challenge!!

[jeromedethysebaert]

Inspiring TED Talk and an ambitious goal to leave no one behind!

[DrSatendraSingh]

Grateful to Pascal Bijleveld for emphasizing accessible, affordable, and effective assistive technology as a basic human right. Let's unite for a fairer, more inclusive world. Disability isn't inability; it's the absence of AT

[lindalehman]

Inspiring talk about AT and its importance to improving function and independence

[TheBeelizzie]

Very interesting and thought provoking. Thank you for this TED talk.

[AlisonDUNN-dn]

"It is a harsh world when you can't see, hear or move around." This is the reality of many people who cannot get assistive technology. This needs to change! Everyone should have the assistive technology they need. It can change their world, and our societies. @_ATscale

[subhashsinha]

Well said. Assistive Technology is necessity for everything we do, not nice to have it.

[JaneRoberts-kiun]

Very moving video and what startling statistics. We take so much for granted in wealthy societies and the goal to reach 500 million illustrates the huge inequality that people face.

[NicolaValenti]

Great intro in Assistive Technology. Enlightening :-)

[CeridwenJOHNSON-ux]

How can we have inclusive societies if we can't provide assistive technology to those who need it? Hear hear . AT can enable people to live healthier, more productive, more independent, and more dignified lives, and to participate in education, the labour market and their communities. We can change this. Together