International researchers discuss new ways to increase participation through technology
On October 26, 2025, the workshop “Assistive Technologies at Work” took place as part of the 27th international ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility in Denver, Colorado (USA). The ASSETS is the leading international conference in the field of inclusive technologies. The workshop was organized by Mario Heinz-Jakobs and Sinem Görmez from Prof. Dr. Carsten Röcker's Human-Technology Interaction working group.
The workshop was held in a hybrid format and was the first workshop of the conference ever to take place on site – an important milestone for the format. With 22 participants from all over the world, the event was a complete success. Researchers from renowned institutions such as Olin College of Engineering (USA), Dortmund University of Technology, Monash University Melbourne (Australia), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Fraunhofer IOSB (Germany), and the University of Washington, Seattle (USA) discussed current research findings, approaches, and challenges in the field of assistive technologies in the workplace.
Contributions from inIT
Sinem Görmez presented her research on the potential of collaborative robots (cobots) in sheltered workshops for people with disabilities and showed how such systems can contribute to greater inclusion and independence. Mario Heinz-Jakobs presented the latest findings from the AMICO research project, which is developing adaptive digital worker assistance systems for people with disabilities. The project is investigating how multimodal interaction and adaptive support levels can promote autonomy and participation in work contexts.
Foundation for future collaboration
The workshop provided a platform for interdisciplinary exchange on the design and evaluation of technical support systems that assist people with disabilities or in special work situations. In addition to exciting technical presentations and lively discussions, opportunities for future collaborations and joint projects were also explored.
Further information is available on the official workshop website: assistivetechnologiesatwork2025.init-owl.de