The Role of Assistive Technology in the Workplace

What is Assistive Technology

Assistive Technology (AT) or assistive tech refers to any tools, products, devices, and systems that help people carry out their daily tasks and activities. They’re targeted at people in need of support like those with specific learning difficulties, restricted mobility, neurodivergence, or disabilities. While they’re designed to meet particular needs, they also boost engagement for staff who don’t face these barriers.  

According to the World Health Organisation, more than 2 billion people will need some form of assistive technology by 2030. And, with a recent spike in growth for remote working, assistive technology is becoming a standardised aspect in many people’s working lives. 

Let’s now get into some details on some specific devices, tools, and equipment we can consider as assistive technology.     

What Are the Different Types of Workplace Assistive Technology?

Assistive Technology refers to a wide range of technologies that help people carry out tasks. And when it comes to the working world, since the pandemic there’s been a sharp rise in the number of people working on a flexible and remote basis. Global figures for remote working rose from 13% in 2020 to 28% in 2023. And with such high demand for flexible working comes the need for more flexible and home-friendly assistive technology. 

Some examples of assistive technologies that facilitate remote, flexible, home-based, and office-based working include: 

• Screen readers: Screen readers are a type of reading and writing tool that helps people with blindness or low vision hear words written on a screen. 
• Alternative keyboards: Ergonomic, modified, and reduced-sized keyboards can all support people to be more accurate and increase typing speed. They’re beneficial for people with sight or dexterity problems. 
• Assistive Listening Devices (ALD): Hearing loops and FM radios are two examples of Assistive Listening Devices to support people with hearing loss. 
• Voice recognition software: Voice-instructed technology includes ASR or Automatic Speech Recognition in forms such as voice-activated assistants, security, and dictation software. 
• Speech-generating devices: More useful in office-based settings, speech-generating devices support better communication. They’re also known as AACs where users can press keys or select symbols to convey messages.  
• Closed captioning: Caption.Ed is a prime example of effective closed captioning and note-taking software that boosts accessibility, comprehension, and working memory. 
• Refreshable braille displays: These tools are a form of screen reader that translates words into a braille pad. They’re aimed at people with visual impairments and can fit on laptops and smartphones. 
• Screen magnifiers: These can be of significant benefit to people with visual impairments or RSI from eye strain. 

What Are the Benefits of Using Assistive Technology in the Workplace?

Some of the key benefits to introducing assistive technology in the workplace include: 

• Better accessibility: Providing staff with assistive technology boosts their engagement and productivity. Stats from the Business Disability Forum back this up, finding three-quarters of managers experiencing higher productivity from their staff after making relevant workplace adjustments. 
• Easier facilitation of remote work: Digital assistive technology tools like voice-to-text apps and transcription tools enable remote, hybrid, and home workers to be productive in their roles wherever they work. 
• Greater autonomy and independence: When workers have the technology they need to assist them in their jobs they gain a greater sense of independence and motivation. 
• Improved communication: App-based technologies such as voice-recognition software can improve communication and lead to more positive outcomes between team members and clients.  
• Better sense of inclusivity: People with disabilities or impairments can experience a sense of exclusion from conversations, meetings, and projects when they’re unable to participate. Providing appropriate assistive technology can help them overcome these barriers and promote a better sense of inclusion.   
• Higher rates of employment: A recent survey suggests only 3–4% of workers with disabilities received any assistive technology accommodations over a ten-year period (2012–2021). But the same research also suggests how assistive tech leads to higher employment and earnings rates. 

Examples of Assistive Technology in the Workplace

Assistive technology has the potential to boost productivity, engagement, and inclusion but what are the key areas it can address? Let’s explore some examples in this section. 

Deaf and Hearing Impairments

Real-time captioning software can have a transformative impact on the working lives of deaf people. A good example is Daniel Wheeler – a resourcing coordinator at a UK non-profit. Daniel works from home, on the phone, and takes up to 15 daily calls. 

As a dynamic piece of captioning assistive technology, Caption.Ed is helping Daniel bring his people skills to the forefront while allowing him to have a significant impact on people Using live, real-time, accurate captioning, Daniel responds to callers in appropriate ways. Caption.Ed also helps him to avoid any risk of miscommunication or misunderstanding by clarifying words.

Specific Learning Disabilities

People who experience problems with typing, or those with dyslexia and dyspraxia, may find it difficult to type out words as fast as they need to. Word prediction software can help them overcome this. As a supportive form of assistive technology in the workplace, word prediction software helps people with dyslexia work faster. By spelling words and predicting what spellers intend to say, they also give people with dyslexia more confidence in their writing.

How to Gain Access to Assistive Technology in the Workplace

Employers who want to encourage more uptake of assistive technology should start by designing a strategy. Within the strategy, you may want to consider the viability of cloud-based technology or portable devices that can help people working from home, flexibility, or in the office. 

The important thing to remember is that all staff can make gains from using Assistive Technology, not just those with specific needs. So be open to all recommendations and requests. 

Employees who need help with their work should consider speaking to their employers. Rates of assistive technology in the workplace remain low. At the same time, low numbers are disclosing their needs to employers. Employers can help by offering an ‘open-door policy’ while staff should feel confident to approach their employers for the help they need. 

If you already have a diagnosed neurodivergence or specific learning difficulty then you’re entitled to speak to your employers and request they make reasonable adjustments to help you. Some other ways to consider gaining access to assistive technology in the workplace include: 

• Apply for the Access to Work scheme: The Access to Work is a government-funded grant that any employee can apply for – with or without a diagnosis. It starts by deciding which types of assistive technology you need, like our captioning and notetaking technology Caption.Ed. Remote workers can also consider our dictation software TalkType. 
• Review and define the tools you need: In some cases, you may find that employers are already using assistive technology that could help you. For instance, they may already have a store of Bluetooth headsets, alternative keyboards, or screen readers available or in storage. If not then spend the time reviewing your needs and exploring the types of assistive technology that you think could help you.