It is a national objective to facilitate the participation of the entire population in the workforce, including people with intellectual disabilities. However, it is difficult to find suitable jobs and many therefore begin with disability pensions directly after high school.
The purpose of the InnArbeid project has been to develop innovative services and technology so that people with intellectual disabilities can find, obtain, and keep a job. A new service model with different forms of technology, which will support the transition from school to work and further participation in working life, has been developed. The goal has been to provide tools for better coordination of plans and services for this group.
Based on selected concepts, the project has designed, developed and evaluated i) a prototype of a transport application ii) a VR-based scenario for training in the use of public transport where the purpose is to contribute to dealing with unforeseen events, iii) further development of an existing communication application so that people with reduced language skills can use images in connection with storytelling, iv) an inspiring information room (website) where the purpose is to inspire employers to offer internships or jobs, and v) a prototype for a self-reflective mapping tool to support young adults towards self-determination and transition to work.
The methodological approach in the InnArbeid project is based on Action Design Research (ADR). ADR methodology is a further development of action and design research approaches and includes user-need mapping, co-creation, evaluation, and implementation through iterative processes whereby users participate in all the stages of development. It is a challenge to develop technology that will be part of individualized solutions as many people with intellectual disabilities have reduced learning ability. An important part of the project is also to develop new methods for involving this user group.
The InnArbeid project has been ongoing in the period 01.06.2017 to 30.04.2022. In addition to people with intellectual disabilities, the project has included relatives, upper secondary schools in Agder, the municipalities of Grimstad and Kristiansand (including the habilitation services and the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration, NAV), the Norwegian Society for persons with intellectual disabilities, work training centers, and of the Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise in Agder. All have been key players in the mapping user needs and insights and in participating in co-creation and testing of new technologies and service models. In addition, several partners with expertise in the planned R&D activities have participated. In addition to project management, the University of Agder has contributed with expertise in ?Action Design Research? (ADR), mapping of user needs, co-design and evaluation. The Oslo School of Architecture and Design has contributed with innovative service design. Egde Consulting and JodaCare have contributed with development of prototypes.
See more information about InnArbeid and the innovations here: https://innarbeid.uia.no