Assistive Technologies in the Digital Workplace: A Tool for Equal Treatment
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.46282/bpf.2025.27Keywords:
labour law, employees with disability, assistive technologies, digital work environment, principle of equal treatment, inclusionAbstract
People with disabilities represent a diverse group that encounters significant challenges in achieving full inclusion in the workplace. Accordingly, various legal instruments exist at both national and supranational levels to ensure equal treatment and prohibit discrimination. However, the dynamic development of technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, is gradually changing the way these legal instruments are implemented. This paper therefore focuses on the role of modern technological tools, so-called assistive technologies, in promoting an inclusive work environment and safeguarding the rights of employees with disabilities. The analysis encompasses the legal and practical implications of using assistive technologies, presenting specific examples such as speech recognition software and real-time transcription tools. The use of these technologies enhances employee autonomy, enables full participation, and provides employers with benefits in terms of efficiency and an inclusive workplace culture. At the same time, it also poses ethical, legal, and logistical challenges, such as the risk of errors or extensive intrusions into privacy. The paper offers a comprehensive assessment of the potential of assistive technologies and formulates recommendations for their effective implementation, thereby supporting socio-economic inclusion and the development of inclusive workplace policies.
References
1. BAROCAS, Solon, HARDT, Moritz, NARAYANAN, Arvind: Fairness and Machine Learning. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 2023. 284 s., ISBN 978-0-262-048-613
2. BRYNJOLFSSON, Erik - MCAFEE, Andrew: The Business of AI. In: AI & Society, roč. 36, č. 3 (2021), s. 621–639.
3. FERRI, Delia: Reasonable Accomodation as a Gateway to the Equal Enjoyment of Human Rights: From New York to Strasbourg. In: Social Inclusion, roč. 6, č. 1 (2018), s. 40-50.
4. HABBAL, Adib – HAMOUDA, Hassen, et al.: Privacy as a Lifestyle: Empowering assistive technologies for people with disabilities, challenges and future directions. In: Journal of King Saud University – Computer and Information Sciences, roč. 36, č. 4 (2024), článok č. 102039
5. KAMINSKI, Margot, E.: The Right to Explanation, Explained. In: Berkeley Technology Law Journal, roč. 34, č. 1 (2021), s. 189–218.
6. KRANENBORG, Kim – DE VRIES, Sjoerd – DE LOOZE, Michiel – BALTRUSCH, Saskia: Enhancing the Adoption of Inclusive Technologies in the Workplace. In: Proceedings of the 18th ACM International Conference on Pervasive Technologies Related to Assistive Environments. 2025. s. 540-547.
7. KRUSE, Douglas – DI LALLO, Antonio – SU, Hao – et al.: Assistive Technology’s Potential to Improve Employment of People with Disabilities. In: Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, roč. 34, č.2 (2024), s. 299-315.
8. LOURENÇO, Jordam, Wilson – DE JESUS, Paulo, Alexandre – LOURENÇO, Franciele – et al.: A Systematic Review on Assistive Technology Terminologies, Concepts and Definitions. In: Technologies, roč. 13, č. 8 (2025), s. 349 – 369.
9. MUCHARRAZ Y CANO, Yvette – ALEMAN-CASTILLA, Benjamin – DÁVILA-RUIZ, Diana – CUILTY-ESQUIVEL, Karla: Yes, We Comply, but Do We Include? The Employment Disability Challenge. In: The Interational Journal of Organizational Diversity, roč. 25, č. 2 (2025), s. 73-103.
10. OECD: Using AI to support people with disability in the labour market. Paríž: OECD, 2023. 103 s. ISSN: 3005-348X
11. PINO, Maribel., et al.: Artificial Intelligence for Assistive Technologies: Opportunities for Inclusion. In: Journal of Assistive Technologies, roč. 17, č. 2 (2023), s. 75–92
12. PRIESTLEY, Mark: In search of European disability policy: Between national and supranational governance. In: ALTER - European Journal of Disability Research, roč. 1, č. 1 (2007), s. 61–74.
13. RAHMATIKA, Rizka, Astari – BASUKI, Carola: Does the Provision of Assistive Technology Incrase Disability Employment?. In: Indonesian Journal of Disability Studies. Roč. 9, č. 2 (2022), s. 179-201.
14. Európska komisia: Únia rovnosti – Stratégia v oblasti práv osôb so zdravotným postihnutím na roky 2021-2030. Brusel: Európska komisia, 2021.
15. TOUZET, Chloé: Using AI to support people with disability in the labour market: Opportunities and challenges. In: OECD Artificial Intelligence Papers. Paríž: OECD Publishing, 2023. s. 1-103. ISSN: 3005-348X.
16. WHITTLE, Richard: The Framework Directive for Equal Treatment in Employment and Occupation: An analysis from a disability rights perspective. In: European Law Review, roč. 27, č. 3 (2002), s. 303–326.
17. World Health Organization: Global report on health equity for persons with disabilities. Ženeva: World Health Organization, 2022. 297 s. ISBN 978-92-4-006360-0.
18. WELKER, Yonah: Generative AI holds great potential for those with disabilities – but it needs policy to shape it [online]. World Economic Forum. 2023. Dostupné na: https://www.weforum.org/stories/2023/11/generative-ai-holds-potential-disabilities/
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Lenka Freel, Kristína Ježová
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
