Scientific Reports

Assistive Technologies for Persons with Disabilities in the Skilled Trades: A Scoping Review

Abstract / Description

A significant global shortage of skilled workers is expected within the next decade; meanwhile, persons with disabilities are an overlooked source of talent. With the appropriate support, accommodations, and training, persons with disabilities can thrive and make valuable contributions in these critical occupations. Emerging developments of assistive technologies offer new opportunities to remove barriers for persons with disabilities to (re)enter and remain in the skilled workforce.

We conducted a scoping review to synthesize the existing research pertaining to assistive technologies designed to improve the accessibility of skilled trade occupations for persons with disabilities. Through a systematic search of seven databases and two rounds of screening, 12 relevant articles were identified.

Most articles focused on assistive technologies to support physical disabilities in the skilled trades, whereas few researched assistive technologies for cognitive or sensory disabilities. Our findings emphasize the need for employers’ awareness of the assistive technologies available in order to incorporate them into their disability management strategies.

By fostering inclusive and accessible workplaces, organizations can support the (re)integration of workers with disabilities and attract new talent, thereby contributing to the growth and development of the economy.

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Workplace Support Solutions for Persons with Disabilities in Skilled Trades: A Systematic Environmental Scan

Skilled trades are a critical sector for Canada’s economy and ongoing reductions in this workforce present potential instability for future global competitiveness. Persons with disabilities represent a substantial untapped workforce that could help address these shortages when provided with relevant and appropriate workplace support solutions. A systematic environmental scan of a popular search engine was conducted and reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. The first 100 links of each search were reviewed for potential eligibility, and relevant links were assessed in detail for information related to workplace solutions, including assistive products, supportive devices, and job accommodations for various impairments in skilled trades sectors. Data were extracted and synthesized according to impairment type and trade-specific applications.In total, 242 relevant internet sources were identified, describing 124 unique support solutions. Identified solutions primarily supported physical impairments (n=81, 65.3%), followed by vision (n=26, 21.0%), hearing (n=10, 8.1%), and learning, cognitive, memory, or mental health-related (n=7, 5.6%) impairments.This environmental scan identified that workplace support solutions for skilled trades workers are disproportionately distributed across impairment types: limited supports were identified for vision, hearing, or cognitive impairments compared to physical impairments. More information related to the job-specific tasks and demands of trades work, and the development of solutions that directly address functional limitations in those tasks, will be critical to increase equitable employment for persons with disabilities in the skilled trades. View French publication

Scientific Reports 2026

Underutilized Talent: Assessing Employer Preparedness to Include Persons with Disabilities in the Canadian Skilled Trades

Persons with disabilities are an underappreciated source of workers in the Canadian economy, especially among skilled trades, where only 13.8% of workers identify as a person with a disability. This survey of skilled trades companies across Canada aimed to understand the barriers and informational needs that prevent companies from implementing equitable employment practices. A cross-sectional, quantitative survey was distributed to eligible companies to elicit insights related to current worker demographics and readiness to provide accommodations for workers. Multivariable logistic regression models were fit to assess differences in accommodation readiness for various impairment types. Most respondents reported their companies were unprepared to accommodate vision impairments (85%) and mobility impairments (79%). When controlling for province and company size, construction sector companies were significantly less prepared to accommodate mobility impairments (OR=0.316; p=0.047) and hearing impairments (OR=0.202; p=0.003) compared to other skilled trades sectors. Larger companies were significantly more prepared to accommodate mobility (OR= 3.771, p=0.043) and learning (OR= 5.425, p=0.002) impairments. Overall, findings indicate that many Canadian skilled trades companies remain insufficiently prepared to accommodate several impairment types or implement common accommodations for employees with disabilities. This work will provide foundational evidence for future assessments aimed at identifying factors that improve organizational capacity to meaningfully, purposefully, and equitably integrate persons with disabilities into the skilled trades workforce in Canada.View French publication

Scientific Reports 2026

Unlocking Untapped Talent: Inclusive Training Practices for Persons with Disabilities in Skilled Trades

Accommodating persons with disabilities is an important step towards an inclusive skilled trades sector; lack of effective accommodation can introduce barriers to entry and retention for skilled trades. This research describes the prevalence of disability among apprentices, their perceptions of disability in apprenticeship, occupational health and safety (OHS) training knowledge, and recommendations for accommodations.Data were collected through questionnaires with apprentices, gathering demographic information and measures such as OHS knowledge or skills. Analysis included descriptive statistics of disabilities and pain and injury profiles and Chi square tests comparing groups. Qualitative data was assessed via thematic analyses. Of the 1,486 apprentices who completed the survey, 298 apprentices (20.1%) reported at least one disability. Apprentices with a disability reported significantly lower OHS knowledge or skills in 11 of 13 domains.Apprentices with a disability were 2.01 (1.399, 2.871; p<0.001) times more likely to report a severe injury in the last 12 months. Apprentices with a disability were significantly more likely to report chronic and short-term pain.Apprentices with and without a disability preferred hands-on-learning. Apprentices with a disability recommended accommodations that primarily fit into three themes: learning style, resources, and physical accommodations. This paper provides an original analysis of the relationships between disability on skilled trades apprentices and their experience of OHS, including knowledge, pain, and injury. OHS training accommodations should be implemented for apprentices with disabilities when needed, supporting educators and employers to provide inclusive OHS training, and promoting equitable and inclusive workforce entry.View French publication