Assistive Technology: opening doors to independence and opportunity
Stories | June 5, 2026
Assistive technology can be life changing. For people with disabilities, devices like prosthetics, wheelchairs, and orthopedic supports are not just tools – they are gateways to independence, dignity, and participation in everyday life.
Without access to these essential supports, many people face barriers to education, work, healthcare, and social inclusion. But when the right assistive technology is available, lives can shift from limitation to opportunity.
In Meru County, Kenya, this transformation is at the heart of one of CBM’s community-based inclusive development projects. Working closely with local partners, the initiative strengthens local health systems, expands access to assistive devices, and ensures people with disabilities can access services that meet their needs.
A key part of this work is the expansion of orthopaedic services – bringing access, assessment, fabrication, and fitting of devices closer to communities, and reducing the long distances people once had to travel for care.
Josphat knows firsthand what a difference this makes.
Ten years ago, Josphat lost his right leg below the knee due to cancer. Overnight, his life changed. Simple tasks became difficult, and he grew increasingly dependent on others. The emotional toll was just as heavy – his marriage broke down, and he struggled with deep despair.
For years, Josphat did what he could to survive, using crutches and skills he learned from his brother, who taught him cobbling. But everyday life remained a struggle – until he met the project outreach team. During a local community outreach, Josphat was assessed and fitted with a properly aligned below-knee prosthesis.
That moment marked a turning point.
With his new prosthetic leg, Josphat regained not only mobility but confidence and independence. He began crushing stones to produce ballast for construction, earning an income he once thought impossible. He also started farming, growing food and established a small tree nursery, while continuing his cobbler work in the evenings.
Today, Josphat is supporting himself again -walking, working, and rebuilding his life with dignity.
“I never thought I would walk again let alone work and provide for myself.”
Josphat
Josphat’s story is one of many. Through the CBM project, hundreds of people in Meru County have received assistive devices, ranging from prosthetics and orthotic supports to wheelchairs, walking aids and more – each one tailored to individual needs. The expansion of the local orthopaedic workshop has been central to this progress, improving the quality, efficiency, and dignity of service delivery while strengthening long-term capacity within the health system.
“I am so grateful for the prosthesis. It has given me back my life.”
Josphat
In light of World Assistive Technology Day, Josphat’s journey reminds us what is possible when access to assistive technology is prioritised. With the right support, people with disabilities are not defined by barriers – they are empowered to thrive, contribute, and shape their own futures.
https://www.cbm.org.au/stories/assistive-technology-opening-doors-to-independence-and-opportunity
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