AT for Employment

By Annabel Gabriel

Introduction

Assistive Technology (AT) is a tool essential for allowing individuals with disabilities to fully participate in the workplace. AT can provide support that brings increased independence and productivity in the workplace. This is a mutually beneficial relationship that supports both the employer and the employee in their endeavors [1].

Assistive Technology Types

Assistive technology (AT) is an essential tool used to empower individuals with disabilities and promote independence. There are many types of AT used to aid individuals with disabilities and allow them to participate more fully in society. This leads to more accessible social interactions, education, and workplace environments [1].

Technologies for visual impairments:

• Canes: These are a common mobility aid that help users detect obstacles and navigate their environment safely.

• Braille: Braille displays and notetakers allow users to read and write through tactile feedback rather than visually.

• Augmentative Communication Devices: These facilitate verbal communication for those with visual, hearing, or cognitive disabilities.

• Magnification Tools: These enhance the size of the screen content for users with low-vision.

• Audio Descriptions: These allow users to understand visual content on electronic devices.

• Daily Living and Environmental Aids: These can include tactile, color-coded, or voice activated devices that aid daily activities [2][3][4].

These technologies are used for individuals to read, write, communicate, and interact with their environments. This allows individuals with visual impairments to perform their job tasks effectively and efficiently. This increases both productivity and independence [3].

Types of technologies for hearing impairments include:

• Hearing Aids or Implants: These are used to either amplify or direct sound for those with hearing loss.

• Augmentative Communication Devices: These facilitate verbal communication for those with visual, hearing, or cognitive disabilities. More specifically, speech-to-text devices are used for individuals with hearing impairments.

• Captioning Tools: These are used to allow users to understand the audio elements on electronic devices. 

• Daily Living and Environmental Aids: These can include visual call or alarm indicators that allow the individual to see the cue without having to hear it [4][5][6].

These technologies are used for individuals to communicate, understand audio, and interact with their environments. This allows individuals with hearing impairments to perform their job tasks properly, increasing productivity in the workplace [5].

Types of technologies for mobility impairments include:

• Wheelchairs: A manually operated or power-driven device used for both indoor and outdoor locomotion. There are many different types for specialized purposes–sports, all-terrain, folding, reclining, tilt-in-space, and many more.

• Mobility Scooters: A power-driven device used for both indoor and outdoor locomotion aimed at seniors and adults with disabilities.

• Walking Frames: A mechanically driven device designed to provide support and stability for individuals when walking. The device has four legs rather than the one a cane has, providing more stability when walking.

• Canes: A mechanical driven device designed to provide support and stability for individuals when walking.

• Daily Living Aids: These include devices such as adaptive utensils, dressing aids, adaptive switches, and other devices that aid daily movement tasks [7][8][9][10][11].

These technologies are essential for individuals to move and interact in their environment. Many of these tools are used to complete daily tasks. These tools allow individuals with mobility impairments to properly complete their job tasks. For example, adaptive switches can be extrapolated out into keyboard technology, allowing individuals to use technologies they otherwise would not be able to [10][11].

Types of technologies for cognitive disabilities include:

• Augmentative Communication Devices: These facilitate verbal communication for those with visual, hearing, or cognitive disabilities.

• Daily Living Software: Device reminders for tasks such as eating, taking medication, or upcoming appointments.

• Daily Living Aids: These include devices such as adaptive utensils, dressing aids, adaptive switches, and other devices that aid daily movement tasks [4][12].

These technologies can be used for individuals with cognitive disabilities to communicate with others and interact with their environments. This enables these individuals to perform job tasks easier, improving productivity and efficiency in the work environment [4][12]. 

Importance of Assistive Technology in Employment

There are many types of AT that can be used to support employment. Any of the many technologies stated above can be used to bridge the gap to employment for individuals with disabilities. It is very important that individuals with disabilities are allowed the proper technologies because they:

• Increase Independence: allowing individuals to work with less guidance.

• Increase Productivity: allowing for more work to get done in an efficient manner.

• Reduces Workplace Barriers: allowing individuals to participate more fully in the workplace.

• Expands Job Opportunities for Individuals with Disabilities: leading to increased productivity for individuals with disabilities [13].

This is not only beneficial for the employer but for the workers as well because participating in the workplace increases economic independence and inclusion for the individual, leading to an overall better quality of life [13][14].

Workplace Support

Some workplace supports already put in place for people with disabilities include legislation and government nonprofit support programs. Under the Rehabilitation Act of the Americans with Disabilities Act, AT is encouraged and emphasized in the workspace. Additionally, government support programs such as state AT programs help connect and can support individuals financially when being connected to a device [14][15].

Limitations and Boundaries

• Cost: AT is very expensive with or without financial aid.

• Training: Proper AT instruction is often missing, creating barriers when integrating AT into daily tasks.

• Workplace Resistance: AT has certain stigma around it in a social aspect, hindering the employee’s integration for fear of seeming less capable than their colleagues.

• Awareness: Many employers or employees may not be aware of AT or how best to integrate it [13].

Conclusion

Overall, AT is essential in allowing individuals with disabilities to participate more fully in the workspace. This allows them to gain more financial and social independence leading to a better quality of life. This benefits both the individual being employed and the employer due to increased independence and productivity. This is the start to creating a more inclusive, productive workplace environment. 

‌References:

[1] “BRIEF: Assistive Technology in the Workplace,” Illinois Center on Transition and Work. https://ictw.illinois.edu/resources/research-briefs/other-topics/brief-assistive-technology-in-the-workplace

[2] Moth, “List of the Best Assistive Devices for the Blind - InviOcean,” InviOcean, Feb. 11, 2024. https://inviocean.com/learn/best-assistive-technologies-for-visually-impared/

[3] “Assistive Technology Products | American Foundation for the Blind,” www.afb.org. https://www.afb.org/blindness-and-low-vision/using-technology/assistive-technology-products

[4] V. Lewis, “A to Z of Assistive Technology for Low Vision,” Perkins School for the Blind. https://www.perkins.org/resource/z-assistive-technology-low-vision/

[5] “Hearing Assistive Technology - Hearing Loss Association of America,” Hearing Loss Association of America -, Aug. 31, 2023. https://www.hearingloss.org/find-help/hearing-assistive-technology/

[6] C. Clinic, “Hearing Loss? Consider These Hearing Assistive Technologies,” Cleveland Clinic, Jan. 27, 2025. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/hearing-assistive-technology

[7] “What is the definition of a wheelchair under the ADA? | ADA National Network,” adata.org. https://adata.org/faq/what-definition-wheelchair-under-ada

‌[8] 1800 WheelChair, “Mobility Scooters Explained: Perfect for Seniors and Disabled Adults - Wheelchair & Mobility Scooters Guide,” Wheelchair & Mobility Scooters Guide, Jun. 10, 2025. https://www.1800wheelchair.com/news/mobility-scooters-explained-perfect-for-seniors-and-disabled-adults/ (accessed Jan. 25, 2026).

‌[9] “What Is a Walking Frame and Who Needs One?,” Biology Insights, Nov. 28, 2025. https://biologyinsights.com/what-is-a-walking-frame-and-who-needs-one/ (accessed Jan. 25, 2026).

‌[10] “Is Using a Cane Legally Considered a Disability?,” LegalClarity, Aug. 20, 2025. https://legalclarity.org/is-using-a-cane-legally-considered-a-disability/ (accessed Jan. 25, 2026).

[11] “Accessibility Innovations,” Accessibility Innovations, May 28, 2025. https://accessibilityinnovations.com/blogs/assistive-technology-devices-for-physical-disabilities/

[12] K. Funk, “Assistive Technology For Cognitive Disabilities,” www.accessibility.com, Dec. 13, 2023. https://www.accessibility.com/blog/assistive-technology-for-cognitive-disabilities

‌[13] D. Kruse et al., “Assistive Technology’s Potential to Improve Employment of People with Disabilities,” Journal of occupational rehabilitation, vol. 34, no. 2, Jan. 2024, doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-023-10164-w.

‌[14] PineappleDigital1, “Assistive Technology in the Workplace for People with Disabilities - AzSO,” ALSO, Jun. 29, 2023. https://alsoweb.org/nonprofit-blog/assistive-technology-in-the-workplace-for-people-with-disabilities/

[15] “Wisconsin’s Assistive Technology Program (WisTech),” Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Aug. 25, 2014. https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/wistech/index.htm