Insight from experience - tools for increased understanding of invisible disabilities at the workplace

In the project "Insight from experience", we have developed and tested solutions to increase the understanding of how communicative, social and mental disabilities can manifest themselves. The main solution we have developed is cognitive empathy exercises in the form of three Virtual Reality films (ie films in 360° format), and associated discussion questions that are focused on raising insights.

The films have been supplemented with a method for how the exercises can be used in the methodology Supported Employment, as well as with an independent training for employers and employees. The solutions have been developed in collaboration with people with cognitive disabilities and we have also collaborated with need owners and users among employers to evaluate the solutions. The films and education have been tested with SIUS, work and business consultants, employers in a wide range of industries, as well as with industrial design and engineering students.

The tests have given very positive results. The films are judged to have a very high level of usability, both among the project partners and with external employers who participated in the tests. Four parties have prepared concrete plans for utilization of the films within their own operations. Certec at Lund University of Technology has already utilized the results, as empathy exercises with the VR films are now integrated into two existing courses for engineering and industrial design students. The Swedish Public Employment Service and the Actíva Foundation will use the films as a basis for their respective work to support employers in recruiting people with disabilities. Funka integrates the education into its existing range of educations aimed at employers.