Affiliations: Communication and Arts Department, Beira Interior
University, Covilhã, Portugal | Centre for Architecture, Urban Planning and Design
(CIAUD), Lisboa, Portugal | Ergonomics Laboratory, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa,
Portugal
Note: [] Corresponding author: Ernesto Filgueiras, Communication and Arts
Department, Beira Interior University, Rua Marquês d'Ávila e
Bolama, 6200-001 Covilhã, Portugal. Tel.: +351 275242028; E-mail:
[email protected]
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Successful cases of professional reintegration were
achieved when adequate conditions were created for the adaptation of the worker
with disability to the working environment and to the professional activity,
allowing them to carry out all their functions without any restriction. In this
sense, this paper presents a methodology for professional integration of people
with disability in service companies and industry. It has as results a matrix
of analysis of a set of observables for the reintegration of people with
disability into the labour market, as well as an auxiliary tool for those who
work in recruitment of personnel. OBJECTIVE: The main objective was to develop a tool (i.e., a
software) based on the crossing of data obtained from the analysis of the
individual capacities and the requirements of the job to optimise the
relationship between worker and the workplace. There was also considered a
series of strategies which can be adopted by the individuals and the possible
adaptations in the workplace, as a way to reduce the handicap in the
accomplishment of different activities. METHODS: The methodology for the development of this study is
divided in two phases: Phase I, destined to the assessment criteria and
classification of the indispensable functional characteristics of the
individuals; Phase II, related to the assessment criteria of the jobs and the
functions that have to be performed. RESULTS: As a result it was developed an evaluation tool to match
the individuals' capabilities and the job requirements. A software
was created to support the evaluation and to help professionals during the
assessment. CONCLUSIONS: This methodology together with the support tool
demonstrated to be a quite inclusive tool, as it considers, as a matter of
priority, the capacities of the individuals and the real necessities of the
workplaces.
Keywords: Professional integration, inclusive methodology, workers with disability, individual capacities, job requirements
