Supporting workplace inclusion : reasonable accommodations and assistive technologies for individuals with intellectual disability

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.