Creating an inclusive workplace and technology for people with disabilities

Technologies make workplaces smoother and more efficient than traditional systems. Organizations are focusing on making their workplaces inclusive and welcoming to all. Creating a disabled-friendly workplace is more than hiring people with disabilities but is about empowering them. As technologies advance rapidly and organizations develop long-term strategies to create a welcoming system, workplaces get more inclusive. Modern-day work environments leverage technology for people with disabilities to create a diverse and inclusive atmosphere that benefits society.

What technology can help people with disabilities?

Assertive technology advancements make our lives better. As for people with disabilities, modern technology empowers them to perform tasks that they previously found difficult. New technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), extended reality (XR), the Internet of Things (IoT), and Robotic Process Automation (RPA) are rapidly revolutionizing the standards of living, benefitting people with disabilities. Here are a few of the technologies for people with disabilities.

Extended reality to power up remote communication

Extended reality (XR) is rapidly transforming the workplace, breaking communication gaps and boundaries. As for people with mobility disabilities, XR is the game changer.

Extended reality is an artificially created environment merging the virtual world with the real one. XR constructs a decentralized workplace and eliminates the distance problem, helping workers with motion disabilities be virtually present on the field and perform their activities.

Applications like Microsoft Remote Assist and Vuforia Chalk are XR apps that present any product or person in augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), or mixed reality (MR) from any part of the world. The applications combine live video streaming with mixed reality, augmenting the real world with the digital feed. Remote employees can see what workers see on the field. Audio commentary, along with the visual feed, powers employees with mobility disabilities to erase the boundaries between locations. Employees with mobility disabilities use XR applications to provide their expertise and services on-field on par with their able-bodied counterparts.

The extended reality and IoT acting as digital twins

Businesses widely adopt extended reality (XR) applications for their best use. However, the potential of XR goes beyond live projections and virtually presenting environments.

Extended reality (XR) and the Internet of Things (IoT) form the concept of digital twins of operational processes and equipment to transfer the feed to any user location. Digital twin presents a virtual model of a product, service, or procedure that one can monitor or manage remotely. As IoT is a system of interconnected devices, the digital twin model collects real-time data from the original model and provides it to remote locations with the most updated information. More employees with mobility disabilities or those unable to be physically present at work can perform their duties in more comfortable, accommodated conditions.

Artificial intelligence and robotic process automation are the game changers

Artificial intelligence (AI) and robotic process automation (RPA) are two path-breaking technologies that go beyond impacting business and empowering employees with disabilities. AI and RPA solutions enable visually or physically impaired employees by offering them to perform jobs at the workplace. One can perform tasks that previously required manual efforts using voice, thanks to AI-powered applications. As a result, visual or physical impairment is no more a major disadvantage to the employees than previously.

AI applications like voice assistants or checklists are gaining popularity for task management functions like financial operations or managing control approaches. As these apps carry out commands via voice rather than hands, the work environment becomes inclusive for people with disabilties.

AI and RPA voice applications can work in reverse, coming to the aid of employees with speach difficulties. Applications like Google’s Project Understood aim to train Google Assistant to understand people with down syndrome.

AI-based voice assistants let users type in messages as text messages and convert them into voice commands or execute the input instructions, thus empowering employees with speech complications to work in the office space without difficulties or disadvantages.

Inflatable hand for control

According to Robotics 247, 5 million people have an upper limb amputation. An MIT team is working on using robotics to improve tactile controls and grasping capabilities for amputees, helping them vary grip or engagement according to the object. Manipulating everyday things with more mastery improves the lives of people with prosthetic limbs.

Neuroprosthetics include connected bionic limbs that sense the residual muscle signals of users and replicate their planned motion. MIT, along with Jiao Tong University, built a soft prosthetic limb that is lightweight and at a manageable cost.

Inflatable robotic hands empower amputees to perform nimble motions with great efficiency.

Robotic exoskeletons

Robotic exoskeletons are handy for people suffering from varying gait or unstable walking. As of now, rigid and soft exoskeletons are in their early stage of development, suiting people with all types of disabilities. Researchers continue their studies on restoring neuromuscular function while augmenting human motions and abilities.

Making the workplace inclusive for people with disabilities

A disabled-inclusive workplace is more than hiring people with disabilities or empowering them with technologies. Organizations must develop long-term strategies and systems to create an environment that welcomes people with disabilities. Here are a few measures to build an inclusive workplace.

Implementing training across the organization

Organizations often develop and implement a training plan to execute successful disability-inclusive activities. The training activities must begin right from the leadership team, followed by the supervisors and co-workers. The team must receive training on disability inclusion awareness, what to expect, and how to interact with people with disabilities, making them comfortable and bringing engagement.

Providing support to employees with disabilities

It’s crucial for employees to support their coworkers with disabilities. An organization must provide ample training to their employees and supervisors to build strategies that offer long-term support to its staff with disabilities. Support can include accommodations, assertive technology, and job aid.

Internally discuss your disability inclusion plan

An organization must discuss all disability inclusion activities internally with its staff. Engaging employees of all levels builds a spirit of enthusiasm and support among them, promoting them to contribute towards an inclusive workplace.

The leadership team can hold presentations, internal newsletters, and other efforts to spread the word. All campaigns must include the details of the disability inclusion strategies and the goals of the organization.

Conclusion

Building a disabled-inclusive workplace requires technology to empower them and a cultural shift to be welcoming. Need to know more about how technology powers your employees with disabilities? Let us talk to take a step further.