Advocacy & Awareness
Advocacy to raise awareness of the value of access to high-quality assistive health technologies and need for trained multidisciplinary professionals to provide prosthetics and orthotics services are strategic priorities for ISPO.
The ISPO Advocacy and Awareness Committee is striving to increase recognition of the need for rehabilitation and technical professionals in prosthetics and orthotics; drive policy development in the prosthetics, orthotics, and rehabilitation field; and develop and implement prosthetics and orthotics standards. These goals are to be achieved through key strategic advocacy measures.
COMING UP · THU 5 NOVEMBER
IPOD 2026: Theme “People” – find out how to take part
Advocacy & Awareness
ISPO’s Advocacy Strategy
Awareness-raising activities
Targeted advocacy
Facilitating strategic collaborations
Thursday 5 November 2026
INTERNATIONAL PROSTHETICS AND ORTHOTICS DAY
IPOD 2026: People
Putting People First: Inclusion, Empowerment & Mobility for All
On 5 November, ISPO invites the global prosthetics and orthotics (P&O) community to celebrate the people whose lives are transformed by P&O services – and the people who make those services possible.
The 2026 theme
People at the heart of prosthetics and orthotics
This year’s theme recognises the individuals whose lives are transformed by access to appropriate, high quality P&O services, as well as everyone who makes these services possible:
Professionals
Educators
Technicians
Researchers
Students
Advocates
Partners
Professionals
Educators
Researchers
Technicians
Students
Advocates
Partners
Inspired by the five pillars of assistive technology
Each year, IPOD focuses on one of the five interconnected areas (the 5Ps) identified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as essential to ensuring equitable access to appropriate, high-quality prosthetic and orthotic (P&O) services.
People, Policy, Products, Personnel and Provision
The 2026 theme
Three ways to take part
ISPO invites National Member Societies, partners, members and the wider P&O community to celebrate the people behind P&O, share stories of impact and raise awareness of the vital role P&O services play in improving lives.
01
Share on social media
Publish posts about IPOD 2026 and help spread the word using #IPOD2026.
02
Celebrate your community
Highlight the people, stories and initiatives making a difference in prosthetics and orthotics in your country or organisation.
03
Join the campaign
Encourage colleagues, members and partners to participate and share why people are at the heart of P&O.
Share your story and be part of the campaign
Tell the world what prosthetics and orthotics means to you. Selected stories will be featured in ISPO’s official IPOD 2026 campaign on our website and social channels.
- Take a photo that shows your connection to P&O – at work, in a clinic or at a conference.
- Use our "I am P&O" downloadable template and add your image
- Share it in your social media and include #IPOD2026
Add your voice. Share your story.
Celebrate the people behind P&O.
Join ISPO on 5 November 2026 and help us put people first.
#IPOD2026
#PeopleFirst
#ProstheticsAndOrthotics
#ISPOInternational
The 2026 theme
IPOD 2026 Social Media Toolkit
Everything National Member Societies, partners and members need to promote the campaign through their own channels and help amplify the message around the world.