Download Fact Sheet: Fact Sheet: Changes in Assistive Technology Use at Work from 2021-2024 (PDF)
Keywords: Assistive Technology, Blind/Vision Impaired, Employee Relations
This article reports on the results of the Access Technology in the Workplace Study by the National Research and Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision. Using data collected from 2021-2024, the study analyzed how blind and low-vision workers in the U.S. use assistive technology (AT) on the job, and which AT devices they choose to use.
Key Findings
- More Employees Accessed and Used AT through Apps: The use of remote sighted assistance apps increased 23% and the use of Optical Character Recognition (OCR) apps increased 7%. At the same time, the use of OCR software/hardware decreased 17%.
- The use of Wearable Devices Increased Substantially: While still uncommon, the use of wearable AT devices more than doubled, largely due to the introduction and adoption of smart glasses. In addition to smart glasses, other devices include Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered hearing aids, wrist-worn devices that use non-invasive neutral sensing, and fall detection sensors.
- Potential for Continued Growth of Accessibility Apps: The increasing use of apps built into personal and office smartphones, tablets, and wearables demonstrates that they could eventually replace computer software/hardware.
Implications for Policymakers
This study has several implications for disability employment policy as well as broader economic policy and practice.
- Identifying and Incorporating AT Trends in the Workplace: Study findings can be used to develop and implement laws, policies, and practices that identify and support the procurement and adoption of increasingly used AT, such as accessibility apps and wearables, in the workplace.
- Incorporating Use of Personal Accessibility Devices: Study findings can be used to develop and implement laws, policies, and practices that account for and encourage the use of personal accessibility devices as reasonable accommodations in the workplace.
- Incorporating AT Trends into Broader Economic Policy: Study findings can be used to develop and implement laws, policies, and practices that incorporate increasingly used AT in outreach, hiring, and training of employees and managers with and without disabilities. This will ensure the availability of new and emerging technologies that benefit an evolving workforce, especially as employees age, contributing to continued employment and economic growth.
For more information on workplace accommodations, please see the Southeast ADA Center’s Employment Resource page.