Notice B

Promoting the collaborative development of proposals for investments in digital health global goods

Notice B: Technology for Health and Disability: making ODK 2.0 accessible

Primary Author: Jim Fruchterman

Data is a cornerstone of health and development programs, whether it is used to evaluate the impact of programs to eradicate malaria, help local NGOs effectively measure and implement immunization programs on the ground, or adopt the best response during humanitarian crises. Today, there are one billion people with disabilities (PWDs) worldwide, constituting one of the most marginalized and vulnerable groups in every country around the globe. The dearth of data on PWDs and the health issues they face contributes to their invisibility in statistics, policies, and international programs. It is urgent that PWDs and the organizations that serve them are empowered with an operational and accessible data collection tool. The Open Data Kit (ODK) platform has enabled numerous health organizations to implement mobile data collection and management activities in a reliable and cost effective manner, and the new ODK 2.0 offers even more capabilities to the sector. We will augment it further in close partnership with the University of Washington, health NGOs, and organizations serving people with disabilities. Through this project, we will offer to the global health community an enhanced, sustainable version of the platform that is also more accessible to PWDs and their organizations, thereby expanding the usability, impact, and user base of this crucial resource.

Final Proposal: 
Application Status: 
Approved – Contingent on Funding