A Study and Development of Workplace Facilities and Working Environment to Increase the Work Efficiency of Persons with Disabilities: A Case Study of Major Retail and Wholesale Companies in Bangkok

Abstract

This research aims to improve the work effectiveness of people with physical disabilities in department stores, retail and wholesale companies in Bangkok. It focuses on the environment and facilities needed by people with three types of disabilities, visual impairment, hearing impairment, and wheelchair users. A mixed research method was used (questionnaires, interviews, and observations). The results were applied to a design process based on the needs of people with physical disabilities and addressed solving their work problems, increasing their work effectiveness, and bringing the results of the design to a group discussion. The group was made up of 15 experts who were supervisors, representatives of the people with each type of physical disability, instructors, and personnel from the university knowledgeable about universal design for people with disabilities. Architects and designers helped to brainstorm ideas and develop designs that led to production and product testing. Testing was conducted to compare pretest and posttest results using designed products to evaluate the work effectiveness of the people with physical disabilities using statistical analysis (paired t-tests). The results using developed products showed a higher average posttest score than pretest. This indicated a statistically higher work effectiveness (α =0.05) and supports the research hypothesis.

Como as tecnologias assistivas para acesso a computadores podem ajudar as pessoas com lesão medular?

“…Contudo, evidenciaram que as oportunidades de emprego ainda são muito escassas, sendo mais acentuadas em cidades menores, onde existem poucas indústrias e serviços públicos que garantam uma parcela das vagas para as pessoas com deficiência física. Além disso, estudos mostram que os ambientes de trabalho não estão adequadamente preparados para incluir as pessoas com deficiências, ou seja, o redimensionamento do espaço físico, do mobiliário, entre outros aspectos (Andrade et al, 2019;Pruettikomon et al, 2018). Nos últimos anos, embora o Brasil tenha avançado na promoção dos direitos das pessoas com deficiência, por meio de políticas públicas que buscam valorizar a pessoa como cidadã, a agenda governamental ainda é insuficiente para cobrir as demandas (Barbosa, 2016), em particular as exigências relativas ao acesso a TA.…”