Digitalization and integrated employment for persons with intellectual disabilities.
Digital jobs grow for adults with ID when teams co-pick the tech and the training.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Fajardo-Castro et al. (2025) talked with adults who have intellectual disability, their families, job coaches, and bosses.
The team asked how phones, tablets, and work apps could help these adults get real jobs next to co-workers without disabilities.
They wrote down every idea and worry people shared, then grouped the answers into themes.
What they found
People said digital tools can open new job roles if everyone plans together.
Adults with ID need simple, step-by-step tech training.
Employers need help seeing how small changes, like a talking checklist app, make work easier for all staff.
How this fits with other research
Rashid et al. (2020) showed that support staff feel stuck between employer profit and disability needs. Fajardo-Castro et al. (2025) give a way out: let staff bring low-cost apps to the boss as a win-win fix.
Scior (2011) found most attitude studies are weak surveys. Fajardo-Castro et al. (2025) add richer detail by letting stakeholders tell stories, pointing to where attitude change can start.
Brand et al. (2020) warned that agencies fear privacy loss when they use smart-home tech. Fajardo-Castro et al. (2025) echo the worry for workplace tech and say co-design from day one heads off privacy problems before they grow.
Why it matters
You can copy the co-design plan in your next job-development meeting. Bring one simple app demo, show how it cuts training time, and invite the boss, the worker, and the family to pick the settings together. This turns digital talk into a hired shift.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
BACKGROUND: Digitalization is transforming our world cross-sectionally, affecting the work of individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID). Based on the socio-technical approach, digitalization must respect the employability and quality of life of individuals with ID. AIMS: This research analyzed the challenges and identified the opportunities stemming from digitalization for integrated employment. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: We conducted two studies. Building on the grounded theory, we analyzed the content of semi-structured interviews (Study 1) using three information sources: experts in technology and ID, workers with ID, and team supervisors in which at least one individual with ID works. Second, we implemented a Delphi method (Study 2) with the participation of experts in technology and ID. RESULTS: The results identified three main themes: characteristics of new professional profiles, opportunities generated by digitalization, and support that can promote the autonomy of individuals with ID. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Our study emphasized the need to adapt professional profiles, develop necessary skills, and strengthen support systems. This study takes a significant step toward identifying promising practices for adapting to digitalization in integrated employment. Results also highlighted the importance of a coordinated effort involving employers, the third sector, family members, and public administration in promoting integrated employment. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: This article presents two research studies examining the relationship between digitalization and integrated employment for individuals with intellectual disabilities. First, we analyzed semi-structured interviews conducted with experts in digitalization and intellectual disabilities, individuals with intellectual disabilities currently employed in integrated settings, and team supervisors with at least one team member with intellectual disabilities. Second, we conducted a Delphi study involving experts in digitalization and intellectual disabilities. Overall, digitalization is perceived not as a threat but as an opportunity. Although there are potential risks of job loss, digitalization also offers opportunities to promote integrated employment. These opportunities, identified in our research, will require collaborative efforts from employers, third-sector organizations, family members, and public administration.
Research in developmental disabilities, 2025 · doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2025.105070