Assistive technology opens doors for children with disabilities

Jun 12, 2026 | News | 0

Dorothy Grace sees her wheelchair and smiles. For the 11-year-old girl from Paunangisu on Efate, the wheelchair is much more than a piece of equipment – it is a doorway to independence and participation.

Dorothy cannot walk. For years, her mother, Jessica, and the rest of the family did everything they could to support her. They regularly massaged her muscles and used a pram brought from Australia by her father to help move her around.

As Dorothy grew older, everyday life became increasingly difficult.

“Before, I was feeling so sorry for Dorothy because she was mainly staying at home,” Jessica recalls.

Simple activities that many families take for granted, such as going to church, attending community events, or spending time outdoors, became challenging. Jessica often stayed home with Dorothy, missing out on social activities herself.

Everything changed when Dorothy received a wheelchair. During a recent check-up, specialists assessed her needs and provided her with an adjustable wheelchair.

“Last month, we received a new wheelchair that is adaptable,” says Jessica. “Dorothy can lie down if she needs to rest. It is safer and adjusted to her body.” The impact was immediate.

“Dorothy loves the wheelchair,” Jessica says. “She smiles because she knows it is an opportunity to go outside.”

Today, Dorothy and her mother can move around the yard with ease. The family can attend church services, village gatherings, and community events together. Dorothy can meet people, explore her surroundings, and participate in activities that were once out of reach.

“It changed the life of the whole family,” Jessica says. “Now we can spend time together and attend social events together.”

For Dorothy, access to a wheelchair has brought independence, confidence, and joy.

Her story reflects what healthcare professionals across Vanuatu witness every day. Daniel Frankem, a physiotherapist at Vanuatu National Hospital (VNH), says assistive technology such as wheelchairs, walking frames, and walking sticks can be life-changing for children with disabilities and their families.

“When children with disability have access to assistive technology, they feel included in society,” he says. “They can go to church, watch a football game, take part in activities, and even attend school. It transforms their lives.”

Without these devices, many children remain isolated at home.

“When they don’t have these devices, children with disability mainly stay at home,” Daniel explains. “Some parents have told us their child spent years confined to bed. Assistive technology changes that.”

He also highlights the importance of early screening and support. “Parents, health workers, teachers, and communities must work together to ensure children with disabilities reach their full potential and become more independent.”

Dorothy’s experience illustrates how assistive technology can transform lives across Vanuatu – bringing smiles, strengthening families, and opening opportunities that every child deserves.

On the occasion of the World Day for Assistive Technology, the Ministry of Health (MoH) reaffirms its commitment to ensuring that no child is left behind.

Many children with disabilities have the potential to learn, participate, and thrive but face barriers due to limited access to appropriate support. Through assistive technology, they can gain independence, confidence, and the opportunity to fully engage in school, family life, and their communities.

These efforts are at the heart of SPARK Vanuatu – Strengthening Pacific Assistive Technology and Rehabilitation for Kids. This programme brings together the Government of Vanuatu, including the MoH, the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Justice, Youth and Community Services (MOJYCS), alongside partners such as the Vanuatu Society for People with Disability, with support from ATscale through UNICEF.

Over the next three years, SPARK aims to reach more than 3,000 school-aged children across Vanuatu, including an estimated 2,050 children needing eyeglasses, 340 requiring hearing aids, and 680 who could benefit from mobility devices such as wheelchairs.

To strengthen early identification, screening, and referral systems, training has been delivered to teachers, health workers, and other stakeholders on Efate and Santo. The MoH, in partnership with UNICEF and the MoJYCS, also delivered SPARK training to health workers in Santo, further building local capacity to support children with disabilities.

By bringing together families, schools, health services, and communities, SPARK is helping ensure children receive the support they need early – before they fall behind in their learning and development.

This programme represents an important step towards a more inclusive Vanuatu, where every child, regardless of ability, has the opportunity to reach their full potential. Because every child deserves the chance to participate, belong, and thrive – and no child should be left behind.

SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST

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