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[Chapter II.5.] Supporting Workplace Inclusion: Reasonable Accommodations and Assistive Technologies for Individuals with Intellectual Disability

Chapter Title: Supporting Workplace Inclusion: Reasonable Accommodations and Assistive Technologies for Individuals with Intellectual Disability

Author(s)

May Agius - Department of Communication Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Malta
Tali Heiman - Department of Education and Psychology, The Open University, Israel
Gerda Sula - Faculty of Social Sciences, Department of Pedagogy and Psychology, University of Tirana, Albania
Paulina Tsvetkova - Institute of Robotics, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Bulgaria
Benjamin Nanchen - HES-SO Valais-Wallis, Living Lab for Special Needs, Switzerland
Alan H. Tkaczyk - University of Tartu, Institute of Technology, Estonia
Carla Sousa - Lusófona University, CICANT, Portugal

https://doi.org/10.24140/nobarriers.v1.p02.05      

Abstract

The present chapter examines the current comprehension of Intellectual Disability (ID) through considering it from the lens of social and human rights. By doing so, it places particular emphasis on the significance of supportive environments and the strengths and capabilities of the individual, while exploring the critical significance of reasonable accommodations and Assistive Technologies
(ATs) in relation to workplace inclusion. Compulsory reasonable accommodations, as required by legal structures, promote fair and equal opportunities for all, thereby enhancing employee retention, job satisfaction, and productivity. ATs, which encompass both low-tech and AI-driven applications, are of paramount importance in augmenting the independence and functional capabilities of people with ID. Moreover, they foster inclusivity across diverse spheres of life, with particular emphasis on the workplace. Achieving technological alignment with individual requirements, financial obstacles, and attitude issues are all obstacles. The concluding section of the chapter emphasises emerging patterns, collaborative endeavours, and the continuous progression towards a future in which the workforce is more inclusive of individuals with ID.
Keywords: Intellectual Disability; Assistive Technologies; Reasonable Accommodations; Workplace Inclusion.

Chapter Download

Relevance of the Chapter for People with Intellectual Disability (PwID): The focus of this chapter is on ways to improve the lives of PwID. It discusses how our understanding of this condition has evolved over time, shifting the emphasis from what individuals cannot do to what they can do. Moreover, it describes how reasonable accommodations, which are helpful and fair modifications, in conjunction with different tools known as Assistive Technologies (ATs), can benefit people with disabilities in various spheres of life, including education, employment, and healthcare. Some obstacles are also highlighted in the chapter, such as the fact that not everyone comprehends the societal significance of these changes. However, the text concludes on a positive note by asserting that despite encountering obstacles, individuals are cooperating in an effort to foster a more inclusive and supportive global environment that welcomes all, including those who have Intellectual Disability (ID).

Cite as: Agius, M., Heiman, T., Sula, G., Tsvetkova, P., Nanchen, B., Tkaczyk, A. H., & Sousa, C. (2024). Supporting Workplace Inclusion: Reasonable Accommodations and Assistive Technologies for Individuals with Intellectual Disability. In C. Sousa, J. Pereira, & C. Casimiro (Eds.), No Barriers: Strategies and Best Practices for the Employment of Individuals with Intellectual Disability (pp. 111-127). Edições Universitárias Lusófonas. https://doi.org/10.24140/nobarriers.v1.p02.05