Karen Reyes

Dr. Reyes is Senior Programme Manager at ATscale, the Global Partnership for Assistive Technology, where she oversees global initiatives to expand access to assistive technology (wheelchairs, hearing aids, prosthetics/orthosis, digital technology) and supports countries to strengthen policies, systems, and markets so that people across the life course can access the products and services they need. A medical doctor and Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgeon from Nicaragua, with a Master of Public Health in Health Policy and Management from UC Berkeley, she has over 15 years of experience in global health, disability inclusion, and assistive technology. Her commitment to disability inclusion is deeply personal. After a spinal cord injury, Karen transitioned from clinical practice to public health, becoming a strong advocate for disability inclusion and assistive technology. Before joining ATscale, she worked at the World Health Organization in both the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion team and the Ear and Hearing Care Programme. In addition, she co-founded and led the WHO Embracing Disability affinity group, driving organizational change and advancing implementation of the UN Disability Inclusion Strategy. ATscale, the Global Partnership for Assistive Technology, is a cross-sector global partnership with a mission to transform people’s lives through AT. It catalyses action to ensure that, by 2030, an additional 500 million people in low- and middle-income countries get the life-changing AT they need, including eyeglasses, hearing aids, wheelchairs, prostheses and digital devices. ATscale works with governments, AT users, NGOs, bilateral donors, the private sector, and multilateral organizations to increase awareness and political will and support innovation and investment in AT markets, systems, and services.