On March 4, 2025, Meinhardt Branig and David Gollasch conducted a workshop at the Berufsbildungswerk Hamburg as part of our AutARK project. Titled “Assistive Technologies as a Bridge: Professional Integration of Autistic Individuals,” we focused on how technological innovations can support the integration of autistic people into the workforce.
The workshop began with an introduction to the development of assistance systems for autistic individuals. We presented our AutARK research project, which aims to reduce sensory overload and communication barriers in the workplace. We emphasized the importance of a human-centered development approach that focuses on the needs and challenges of the users.
The main part of the workshop focused on the practical application of personas for professional integration. Participants learned how to understand and apply personas to identify needs and develop appropriate solutions. By using empathy maps, participants were able to adopt the perspective of the target group and develop practical solution ideas.
A central theme was the support of communication and task management through innovative technologies. We presented concepts such as smart headphones for noise cancellation and adaptive systems for task planning, specifically tailored to the needs of autistic individuals. These technologies aim to create a stress-reduced and structured work environment where autistic employees can fully realize their potential.
The workshop provided participants not only with theoretical knowledge but also the opportunity for reflection and exchange on the opportunities and risks of assistive technologies. The developed solution proposals demonstrated how technological innovations can not only address individual challenges, but also sustainably promote satisfaction and integration in the workplace.
We thank the Berufsbildungswerk Hamburg for the opportunity to conduct this workshop and look forward to further collaborations to improve the professional participation of people on the autism spectrum.