Unmet assistive technology needs among working-age adults with disabilities in India: findings from longitudinal ageing study in India (LASI) wave 1

Despite policy advances, access to assistive technology (AT) in India remains critically inadequate, particularly for working-age adults with disabilities. Using nationally representative data from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI) Wave 1, we analysed data from 2,743 individuals aged 18–59 years who reported at least one functional impairment to estimate the prevalence and distribution of unmet AT needs. Unmet need was defined as functional impairment without use of a corresponding assistive product; this proxy reflects potential rather than expressed need and may not capture individual preferences or contextual factors influencing utilisation. Overall, 60.1% had unmet AT needs, with higher prevalence among rural residents (69.6%), younger adults aged 18–44 years (72.2%), and socioeconomically disadvantaged groups (73.3%). Although descriptive analysis showed higher unmet need among women, multivariable regression indicated significantly higher adjusted odds among men after adjusting for socioeconomic factors. Unmet need was extremely high for hearing and speech impairments (97.1% each) and remained substantial even among employed individuals (58.2%). Vision impairments had comparatively lower unmet need, likely due to better availability of spectacles. Disparities were evident across age, gender, residence, education, wealth, and caste. Gender disparities in assistive technology access arise from financial, caregiving, and mobility barriers, emphasising the need for gender-responsive policies to ensure equity. These findings highlight persistent gaps in AT provision and the need for equity-focused strategies to advance disability-inclusive development and economic participation. This study highlights that rehabilitation systems must incorporate routine screening and early identification of assistive technology (AT) needs among working-age adults, particularly younger, rural, and socioeconomically disadvantaged groups. Services should prioritise hearing, speech, and mobility impairments where unmet need is greatest. Gender-responsive and employment-linked rehabilitation approaches are essential to translate AT access into sustained workforce participation. Decentralised, subsidised delivery models are critical to reduce rural and economic inequities in AT access.