Assistive devices on the job: solutions for occupational participation

Software that enables blind people to work in an office or exoskeletons to facilitate physical work - assistive devices can support people with disabilities, compensate for limitations and thus enable professional participation. After all, being able to actively participate in working life is an important prerequisite for the inclusion of people with disabilities.

In the case of physical limitations, exoskeletons can be a great support. For more than ten years, an interdisciplinary team at the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA (Germany) has been working on exoskeletons in cooperation with the University Institute IFF (Germany). "We are concerned both with the design and impact of exoskeletons from a biomechanical and ergonomic perspective and with their technical implementation. Our goal is to adapt the mechatronic design to human needs as intuitively as possible," explains Urs Schneider of the IPA.

In this way, exoskeletons can be used preventively, for occupational rehabilitation and also for people with disabilities: "In my estimation, people with acquired or congenital physical limitations could certainly benefit greatly from this in the future - and thus in some cases either be able to work again at all or be able to do so more easily," says Urban Daub, group leader of the research group at the IPA, in an interview with the Landschaftsverband Westfalen-Lippe (LWL, Countryside Association LWL). During this, Daub also mentions a presentation in the expert forum TREFFPUNKT REHACARE at REHACARE 2022 on the topic of "Technical Assistance and Vocational Rehabilitation." According to the presentation, a museum employee with a neurological disease was able to continue doing his job of making scissors in the traditional way with the help of an exoskeleton: "For over a year now, he has been using an exoskeleton to support his hand and thus help him compensate for the neurologically induced lack of strength. According to him, it allows him to perform his job better, longer and, most importantly, pain-free," Daub said.

One of the companies that manufacture exoskeletons is Laevo BV. The Dutch company specializes primarily in secondary prevention using exoskeletons. "We have a wide range of solutions for those who have problems and those who don't want to have problems," Boudewijn Wisse said. For example, if detected early, pain can be alleviated and physiological degeneration can be contained.

People with visual impairments also face significant challenges at work. Developed technology developed can enable them to participate in the workplace. "When software companies develop the software, they have the ability to make it accessible from the start. That means, for example, you can tab from field to field because a blind person or a very visually impaired person can't use the mouse. And it just creates a hurdle for professional participation," says Hansjörg Lienert of Draeger Lienert GmbH & Co. KG.

As a long-time exhibitor at REHACARE, he and his company have made it their mission to successfully integrate blind people professionally - with inclusive systems and innovative technologies. In addition to basic assistive devices, the company has developed 15 proprietary software products that are used in various work environments. At the end of March, the company even received an award as "Employer of the Future" from DIND - German Institute for Sustainable Digitalization. In an interview on REHACARE.com, Lienert explains what an accessible work environment looks like and how colleagues without disabilities also benefit from it.

Whether it's office chairs, work desks or the right workplace equipment - here, too, there are numerous ways to adapt the working environment to the needs of everyone. However, ergonomic and dynamic sitting is often only possible to a limited extent for people sitting in wheelchairs. The Dutch company O4Wheelchairs has therefore developed a wheelchair that allows the position of the backrest and seat to be individually adjusted. "The WorkHopper offers variable support, more freedom of movement in the wheelchair and exactly as much support as the person using it needs at any given moment," explains Michiel Raterink of O4Wheelchairs.

You can discover many more exciting products and companies that provide opportunities for occupational participation for people with disabilities at this year's REHACARE.

Whether aids for a barrier-free workplace or advice and support for occupational participation - at REHACARE 2023 you will find solutions for a self-determined working environment.

Complimenting the products on display in the exhibition halls, you can also experience lectures by experts on all aspects of assistive technology for the workplace. In addition, associations will be available to answer your questions about vocational rehabilitation and the financing of barrier-free workplaces.