The AutARK flyer is a classic flyer divided into three partitions on the front and back and provides information about the motivation, approach and everything important about the project.
Linearized version of the flyer in English.
AutARK research project
Automatic adaptation to overstimulating contexts
Supporting people on the autism spectrum in a professional environment. Project duration: January 2023 to December 2025.
Motivation
At least a third of people on the autism spectrum who are able to work are unemployed despite having good qualifications. The reasons for the high unemployment rate are primarily to be found in the challenging working conditions and environments. Time pressure, high communication requirements, a high degree of flexibility and sensory stimuli are barriers for autistic people and prevent equal participation in the general labor market.
At 30%, unemployment among autistic people is high. Only 5% are employed in the general labor market.
Utilizing potential
Autistic people perceive the environment differently and process information in unusual ways, enriching the world of work with new perspectives and alternative solutions. Many autistic people have valuable skills that most other people do not have, from which the world of work can benefit, e.g. enjoyment of routines, precision and attention to detail, honesty and creativity.
Support the project!
In order to develop needs-based solutions, the involvement of the target group in our research is essential. That is why we are always looking for volunteers from the autism spectrum to support our research.
What can you do?
Are you on the autism spectrum or work with autistic people and would like to tell us about your experiences in a work context or take part in user studies? As part of our research, for example, we conduct surveys and enable you to try out various technical solutions.
By participating, you not only make a valuable contribution to inclusion. You will also receive a financial reward and the opportunity to play an active role in shaping current research.
Current studies: autark.inf.tu-dresden.de/en/current-studies/
E-Mail: autark@tu-dresden.de
Instagram: @autark.tud
About the projekt
The BMAS-funded AutARK research project at the Chair of Human-Computer Interaction employs four research assistants and student assistants and is scientifically managed by the chair holder.
The aim is to increase the employment opportunities of autistic people on the general labor market by developing technical support systems. The focus is on three areas that often lead to challenges in everyday working life:
- stimulus sensitivity: reducing stimuli to avoid sensory overload
- communication: support for verbal and textual communication
- task management: supporting structuring and prioritization in task and time management
Unsuitable working conditions should be designed to meet needs, reduced work performance and satisfaction should be increased, and low job opportunities should be improved.
Our approach
The project investigates how employable autistic people can be supported with technical systems in the context of office work in line with their needs. Solutions for various use cases are conceivable, such as the use of adaptive filters in headphones to reduce ambient noise, the use of data glasses and smartwatches for person recognition, the application of AI-based methods to support the understanding of linguistic peculiarities (e.g. metaphors, irony) or the use of interactive objects for visualization and interaction with daily structures.
We develop solutions based on scientific methods and test them with the target group, taking into account ethical, social, data privacy and personal aspects.
Contact
Postal address:
Dresden University of Technology
Andreas-Pfitzmann-Bau Professorship for Human-Computer Interaction
Nöthnitzer Str. 46
01187 Dresden
E-Mail: autark@tu-dresden.de
Website: www.autark-arbeiten.de
Responsible persons
Research assistants:
David Gollasch, M. Sc.
Christin Engel, M. Sc.
Jan Schmalfuß-Schwarz, M. Sc.
Meinhardt Branig, M. Sc.
Scientific lead:
Prof. Dr. Gerhard Weber
Supported by:
Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs from resources of the Equalization Fund – Funding reference FT 1 – 58330
The flyer is available for download in German as a PDF file: