June 10, 2025 – Researchers in the field of assistive technologies emphasized the urgent need to review and innovate the service delivery models for veterans and people with disabilities during the “Life Reinvention” event. They called for a forward-looking and innovative management approach, enabling the Martyrs Foundation to lead transformative changes in assistive technologies and to prevent potential future crises.

Elaheh Faraji, the project manager of “Assistive Technologies with a Foresight Approach” at the Research Institute of Engineering and Medical Sciences for Veterans, explained that this qualitative study was conducted over two years with the participation of experts and thought leaders in assistive technology. The research examined the current model of assistive technology provision within the Martyrs Foundation and stressed the necessity for adopting innovative strategies. Without such changes, the foundation is likely to face significant challenges in the future.

Faraji noted that innovation should not be limited to products, but must extend to procurement, distribution, service delivery, and demand-side processes. She highlighted that as a government entity, the Martyrs Foundation requires a new management perspective, focusing on system-wide improvements rather than just product-oriented solutions.

With the rapid evolution of technology and the assistive technology industry, service delivery models must be updated accordingly. Faraji emphasized the importance of a foresight approach—anticipating future developments and preparing now to address them. She compared this need to energy imbalance forecasting, suggesting that proactive planning today will prevent crises in the next decade.

This forward-thinking strategy, she concluded, is essential to ensure resilient, inclusive, and innovative support systems for veterans and people with disabilities in the years ahead.