What digital and technical solutions are available?
The knowledge compilation presents examples of technical and digital solutions with the potential to improve the labour market situation for people with disabilities. The authors see developments in a number of different areas of technology that clearly have potential applications in the workplace for people with disabilities. Generally speaking, these technologies are not being developed specifically for working life.
Artificial intelligence
The term artificial intelligence, commonly abbreviated AI, refers to technology that attempts to replicate the human mind in terms of intelligence and, especially, cognitive functions such as learning from experience, drawing generalised conclusions, planning, understanding natural language, problem-solving, etc. There are examples of AIs beginning to find their way into assistive technology. These aids are often presented in general terms and therefore not specifically linked to working life. Here, and in other products and services, AI is used to improve the performance and capacity of assistive technology such as a smart cane that can recognise objects and warn the visually impaired about obstacles in their path, or smart glasses that combine various technologies to recognise objects or faces.
Apps
An application, or app, is a piece of software designed to carry out a particular task that can be downloaded to a computer, tablet or smartphone. Apps as assistive technology have become increasingly common, especially in the field of cognition. An app can transform a smartphone into an advanced aid. One challenge is the difficulty experienced by professionals such as occupational therapists in keeping up to date with the available apps on the market that might offer a solution to a given individual’s problem. Many apps are short-lived and not updated. Another problem is the lack of user information, training and support. With a few exceptions, there are no systematic, regularly updated compilations of available apps to refer to. A further challenge is presented by the fact that apps are mainly in English and not always available in the Nordic languages.
Exoskeletons
Put simply, an exoskeleton can be described as a wearable artificial skeleton equipped with technology to increase the mobility, strength or endurance of the wearer. Depending on the technology employed, an exoskeleton may be soft or rigid. An exoskeleton can, for example, provide someone with diminished hand strength with a firmer grip. Today, however, exoskeletons are most commonly used to prevent work-related injuries rather than to make life easier for people who already have a disability.
Photo: iStock
Prosthesis control
A prosthesis is an artificial replacement for a lost or damaged body part. Technologies have been developed that allow the wearer to control a prosthesis, such as an artificial arm, with the mind. This field, which is called human/machine fusion, combines a number of technologies to compensate for lost bodily functions.
Augmented and virtual realities
Extended reality (XR), augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are examples of technologies that, in various ways, mix reality with computer-generated perceptual elements via a digital interface. There are examples of research looking into the possibility of using such technologies to create more accessible manufacturing environments using solutions such motion sensors, motion recognition and the projection of instructions directly onto objects. Virtual reality can be used as a training tool, for example prior to a job interview, or for visiting different environments such as workplaces.
Haptic interfaces
Haptic interfaces allow the user to feel, touch and control virtual objects so that it feels like handling a physical object. One example of technology that has been developed is a haptic interface for reading Braille in the air.
Internal administrative systems
Internal administrative systems are used in almost all workplaces to keep the organisation running. While the most widely used office software packages for word processing and calculation generally have a high level of accessibility, internal administrative systems tend to have major flaws in accessibility. The trend towards storing functions and data in cloud-based solutions rather than locally on computers or physical servers offers opportunities for users with disabilities, such as storing user profiles or data in the cloud. This could potentially relieve them of the need to customise settings in individual services or applications. There are, however, legal obstacles such as data protection legislation that would need to be overcome.
Robots and robotics
Although robots have long been viewed as a future assistive technology, this potential has perhaps primarily been explored in the home and, more recently, in schools, or as an aid to taking part in cultural life. Robotics in assistive technology is often linked to the development of prostheses and wearable aids or with freestanding lifting or moving aids.
Although robots have long been viewed as a future assistive technology, this potential has perhaps primarily been explored in the home and, more recently, in schools, or as an aid to taking part in cultural life.
Collaboration technology
One technological field that has been the focus of considerable attention during the Covid-19 pandemic is digital systems for collaboration and co-creation. The most common use of this technology is for video meetings. Although this technology has been available for many years, the pandemic has given it a major boost. The solutions available on the market have suffered from accessibility issues, creating problems for many people with disabilities; however, video conferencing systems are developing rapidly as the pandemic dramatically increases their use. Functioning collaboration technology is a vital prerequisite for working from home, an opportunity long sought by people with disabilities.
Human language technology
Human language technology encompasses various solutions for analysing, understanding or generating human language, for example, by converting speech into text or automatically summarising content. This can be enormously helpful for groups such as people with hearing loss or dyslexia. Much of the development in this field is based on English. One common problem for the Nordic countries is that, form a global perspective, our languages are minor. There are however some examples of Nordic countries paying international software developers to produce versions in their national language.
Text-to-speech technology
There are a number of text-to-speech solutions available on the market. This is one example of how technology that was once reserved for specialist assistive technology is now an embedded function in many applications, websites and operating systems.
Speech-to-Text technology
Recent years have seen improvements in speech-to-text technology. Previous specialist software required relatively extensive efforts on the part of the user to train the software to understand their voice. Newer solutions use AI and are based on the analysis of large amounts of speech.
Wearable technology
Wearable technology is a relatively new field of research that involves wearing sensors close to the body. Examples include smart textiles and sensors that help deafblind people to communicate. The knowledge and examples compiled by the Nordic Welfare Centre include numerous examples of digital and technical solutions with the potential to increase inclusion in working life.
Important conclusions:
- today, virtually all jobs involve technical and digital solutions. This general development has been rapid and the demand for technical and digital competence has increased. While digital skills have improved in the population in general, including people with disabilities, this has not kept pace. In and of itself, digitisation is not enough to balance out the inequitable working situation of people with disabilities compared to the rest of the population.
- extensive technological development is underway with the potential to facilitate the working lives of people with disabilities; however, there is a lack of investment in research and development compared to a field such as welfare technology. It should be possible to apply solutions developed for other purposes, such as use in the home, to working life.
- Many solutions developed as prototypes are never commercialised due to the lack of funding or buyers. Assistive technology systems that offer a range of products are conservative and prevent new, innovative solutions from being brought in.
- There are no coherent programmes or initiatives underway in the Nordic countries to perform an overall analysis of how technology can contribute to increasing the inclusion of people with disabilities in working life.