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Session 4
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Assistive technology and adaption of the workplace
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Content
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The aim of this workshop session is for the participants to learn about the workplace arrangements needed in order to allow for easier access of visually impaired persons. The session provides hands-on exercises and online resources that will enable the participants to not only learn about the available means in regards to the environment and equipment, but also develop their interpersonal skills for the creation of a truly inclusive and collaborative environment and put them into practice.
The topics are divided in two main areas:
- Resources that provide the participants with knowledge/skills/information regarding the assistive and universal technology and techniques, as well as the ways in which the working environment can be arranged to be accessible also to employees with visual impairments.
- Tools which help the participants to interact with their co-workers with visual impairment and collaborate with each other in the working environment.
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Aims & Objectives
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Participants will be able to:
- Develop interpersonal skills in being inclusive when interacting with co-workers with visual impairments
- Adapt/arrange the physical working environment to increase accessibility
- Cooperate with each other in a mutual way regardless of differences
- Identify and use part of the assistive technology available (very basic use)
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Units (click on the names to see the content)
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1: Workplace Adaptation
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2: Assistive Technology
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Time
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2 hours and 45 minutes
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Learners’ requirements
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- Basic knowledge about Internet browsing.
- Basic knowledge and use of assistive software (if applicable).
- Basic knowledge about the characteristics of vision impairment (blindness and low vision) and their needs.
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Learning outcomes
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At the end of the session, the participants are expected to:
Knowledge:
- Know and explain the importance of universal workplace access.
- Describe the various types of workplace adaption/arrangement for universal access.
- Understand and practice ways that promote a respectful and inclusive working (and not only) environment.
Skills:
- Show abilities to arrange the physical working environment for easier access.
- Develop inclusive mentalities in collaborating with persons with visual impairments.
- Basic use of some of the assistive technology software and/or hardware.
- Apply techniques learnt from good workplace practices experienced by people with visual impairments.
Competences:
- Be aware of the importance of keeping an inclusive behaviour in the workplace.
- Actively support the development of an inclusive working environment.
- Be especially able to cooperate/collaborate with a co-worker with visual impairment in cases there are problems with their assistive technology software/hardware (not in a technical aspect but through finding alternatives that work in a mutually effective way)
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Resources available/ needed
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- A room with enough space for all participants
- Chairs set in a semi-circle
- A good quality and reliable Internet connection
- Smartphones, tables, laptops for all the participants, with assistive software/hardware if it’s possible (each participant could be invited to bring their own devices and install the assistive software)
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Learning methodologies
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Theoretical introduction followed by “hand-on” activities.
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Session assessment
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Examples of questionnaires for participants:
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