issues
assistive technology a growth area
Ageing populations and increasing
demand for improved quality
offset job losses in the automotive their higher incomes, requirements
and manufacturing sectors. for a high quality of life, and the
of life for the rising number of
people with disabilities present an
opportunity for South Australia to
become a leader in the assistive
technological innovations that are
It estimates an untapped Australian creating an ever-more vast array
annual demand for assistive of possibilities,” says Professor
technology of more than $4 billion. John Spoehr, Director of Flinders’
technology industry, according
to a new report from Flinders
University’s Australian Industrial
Transformation Institute (AITI).
Australian Industrial Transformation
“Populations are ageing, retirees
Institute (AITI).
are wealthier than ever before,
governments are moving to “Medical devices and assistive
provide greater assistance to technologies are an area of substantial
The report, Assisting Transition: persovns with disabilities and growth, driven by a population that’s
growth prospects for the new technologies are creating ageing here, and worldwide.
development of the assistive the prospect of longer, more technology industry in South independent, more active and “There’s a real demand for the
Australia, says South Australia is healthy lives,” the report says. development of technologies that
can help people live fuller, more
well placed to establish itself as
a centre of assistive technology “Individuals and communities are active, and more independent lives
innovation and solution demanding access to assistive for longer.”
development in the nation and technologies (or AT) in line with
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