Does the Provision of Assistive Technology Increase Disability Employment?

Abstract
This paper examines various literature regarding the relationship between the provision of assistive technology (AT) and workplace integration for people with disabilities (PwD). A systematic review was conducted to map existing literature using the PRISMA framework in the last ten years. This study reveals that AT has an enormous significance in the employment of PwD. However, the provision of AT as workplace accommodations is not always uncomplicated as three aspects mainly impact it: employers’ perspective, accessibility of AT, and the availability of support from vocational and rehabilitation services. It is suggested that the provision of AT as workplace accommodations to increase disability employment should be supported collectively by society, with employers and the government as critical players. This study contributes to the perspectives of managers and the government by highlighting the roles they could carry out to create a more accessible provision of AT and an inclusive work environment.
Keywords
Assistive technology, Disability employment, PRISMA framework, Systematic review, Workplace accommodation
References
- Ababneh, R.I. (2015). Disabled employees in Jordanian public sector: An exploratory study. The International Journal of Public Sector Management, 29(2), 164-182. https://doi.org.10.1108/IJPSM-03-2015-0041
- Adioetomo, S. M., Mont, D., & Irwanto. (2014). Persons with disabilities in Indonesia:
- Empirical facts and implications for social protection policies. Commissioned report, Demographic Institute, Faculty of Economics, University of Indonesia in collaboration with Tim Nasional Percepatan Penanggulangan Kemiskinan (TNP2K), Jakarta. http://www.tnp2k.go.id/downloads/persons-with-disabilities-in-indonesia-empirical-facts-and-implications-for-social-protection-policies
- Aleksandrova, O. & Nenakhova, Y. (2019). Accessibility of assistive technologies as a factor in the successful realization of the labor potential of persons with disabilities: Russia’s experience. Societies, 9(4). https://doi.org.10.3390/soc9040070
- Babu, R. & Heath, D. (2017). Mobile assistive technology and the job fit of blind workers. Journal of Information, Communications and Ethics in Society, 15(2), 110-124. https://doi.org. 10.1108/JICES-10-2016-0041
- Cameron, L., & Suarez, D.C. (2017). Disability in Indonesia: What can we learn from the data. Report, The Australia Indonesia Partnership for Economic Governance in collaboration with Monash University and the Australian Government, Sydney. https://fbe.unimelb.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/2615375/Disability-in-Indonesia-August-2017.pdf
- Caron, L. (2020). Disability, employment, and wages: Evidence from Indonesia. International Journal of Manpower, 42(5), 866-888. https://doi.org.DOI 10.1108/IJM-01-2020-0022
- Davis, L. (2005). Disabilities in the workplace: Recruitment, accommodation, and retention. AAOHN Journal, 53(7), 306-312. https://doi.org/10.1177/216507990505300705
- Denny-Brown, N., O’Day, B., & McLeod, S. (2015). Staying employed: Services and supports for workers with disabilities. Journal of Disability Policy Studies, 26(2), 124-131. https://doi.org/10.1177/1044207315583899
- Dong, S., Davis, W., & Mamboleo,G. (2020). Differences in workplace accommodations requests among college and high school graduates. Journal of Rehabilitation, 86(4), 4-13.
- Dong, S., Warner, A., Mamboleo,G., Guerette, A., & Zalles, M.Z. (2017). Barriers in accommodation process among individuals with visual impairment. Journal of Rehabilitation, 83(2), 27-35.
- Fuhrmann, F., Scholl, M., & Bruggemann, R. (2018). How can the empowerment of employees with intellectual disabilities be supported? Social Indicators Research, 136(3), 1269-1285. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-017-1666-5
- Goering, S. (2015). Rethinking Disability: The Social Model of Disability and Chronic Disease. Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine, 8, 134-138. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12178-015-9273-z
- Gunawan, T., & Rezki, J.F. (2022). Mapping workers with disabilities in Indonesia: Policy suggestions and recommendations. Report, International Labour Organization (ILO), Indonesia. https://www.ilo.org/jakarta/whatwedo/publications/WCMS_836028/lang--en/index.htm
- Huang, I.C. & Chen, R.K. (2015). Employing people with disabilities in the Taiwanese workplace: Employers’ perception and considerations. Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin, 59(1), 43-54. https://doi.org.10.1177/0034355214558938
- Jetha, A., Bowring, J., Furrie, A., Smith, F., & Breslin, C. (2018). Supporting the transition into employment: A study of Canadian young adults living with disabilities. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, 29(1), 140-149. https://doi.org.10.1007/s10926-018-9772-z
- Johnston, P., Jongbloed, L., Stainton, T., & Drynan, D. (2014). Can assistive technology help people with disabilities obtain employment? An examination of overcoming barriers to participation in British Columbia, Canada. International Journal of Disability, Community & Rehabilitation, 13(1).
- Kulkarni, M., & Kote, J. (2013). Increasing employment of people with disabilities: The role and views of disability training and placement agencies. Employee Responsibilities and Rights Journal, 26(3), 177-193. https://doi.org.10.1007/s10672-013-9216-z
- Kuznetsova, Y., & Bento, J.P.C. (2018). Workplace adaptations promoting the inclusion of persons with disabilities in mainstream employment: A case-study on employers’ responses in Norway. Social Inclusion, 6(2), 34-45. https://doi.org.10.17645/si.v6i2.1332
- Linden, M. & Milchus, K. (2014). Teleworkers with disabilities: Characteristics and accommodation use. Work, 47, 473-483. https://doi.org.10.3233/WOR-141834
- Mitra, S., Posarac, A., & Vick, B. (2011). Disability and poverty in developing countries: A snapshot from the world health survey. Social Protection Discussion Paper 1109, Social Protection and Labor Unit, World Bank, Washington DC. https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/bitstream/handle/10986/27369/625640NWP0110900PUBLIC00BOX361487B.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
- Moher, D., Liberati, A., Tetzlaff, J., Altman, D.G., Group, P. and PRISMA Group (2009), Reprint preferred
- reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: The PRISMA statement, Physical
- Therapy, 89(9), 873-880. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19723669/
- Oliver, M. (2013). The Social Model of Disability: Thirty Years On. Disability & Society. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2013.818773
- Oware, K.M., & Mallikarjunappa, T. (2020). Disability employment and financial performance: The effect of technological innovation of listed firms in India. Social Responsibility Journal, 17(3), 384-396. https://doi.org/10.1108/SRJ-09-2019-0299
- Petasis, A. (2019). Discrepancies of the medical, social and biopsychosocial models of disability: A comprehensive theoretical framework. The International Journal of Business Management and Technology, 3(4), 42-54. https://www.theijbmt.com/archive/0928/1686534688.pdf
- Rowley, J. & Slack, F. (2004). Conducting a literature review. Management Research News, 27(6), 31-39. https://doi.org/10.1108/01409170410784185
- Simpson, E.B., Loy, B., & Hartnett, H.P. (2017). Exploring the Costs of Providing Assistive Technology as a Reasonable Accommodation. Journal of Applied Rehabilitation Counseling. 48(2), 26-31. https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/exploring-costs-providing-assistive-technology-as/docview/2023373047/se-2?accountid=31520
- Suresh, V. & Dyaram, L. (2021). Diversity in disability: leaders' accounts on inclusive employment in the Indian context. Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: An International Journal, 41(3), 454-473. https://doi.org.10.1108/EDI-05-2020-0133
- United Nations. (n.d.-a). Chapter IV human rights-15. Conventions on the rights of persons with disabilities. United Nations Treaty Collection. https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=IV-15&chapter=4&clang=_en
- United Nations. (n.d.-b). Article 27-Work and employment. https://www.un.org/development/desa/disabilities/convention-on-the-rights-of-persons-with-disabilities/article-27-work-and-employment.html
- Vornholt, K., Villotti, P., Muschalla, B., Bauer, J., Colella, A., Zijlstra, F., Ruitenbeek, G.V., Uitdewilligen, S., & Corbière, M. (2017). Disability and employment-overview and highlights. European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology. https://doi.org.10.1080/1359432X.2017.1387536
- Walker J.H., & Tebbutt, E. (2022). The informal economy as a provider of assistive technology: Lessons from Indonesia and Sierra Leone. Health Promotion International. https://doi.org.10.1093/heapro/daac005
- WHO & World Bank. (2011). World report on disability 2011. Report, WHO in collaboration with the World Bank. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241564182
- Wolffe, K.E., Ajuwon, P.M., & Kelly, S.M. (2013). Working with visual impairment in Nigeria: A qualitative look at employment status. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness. 107(6), 425-433
- World Health Organization. (n.d.). International classification of functioning, disability, and health (ICF). https://www.who.int/standards/classifications/international-classification-of-functioning-disability-and-health
- World Health Organization. (2018). Assistive technology. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/assistive-technology