SUPPLEMENT Robotics & Motion Controly
Supporting people with disabilities into work with robots
Chris Duddridge, Area Vice President & Managing Director UKI at UiPath, suggests how software robots can support disabled people into work
D
isabled people in the UK are over twice as likely to be unemployed as non-disabled people, according to the
disability charity, Scope. Perhaps it’s down to the fact that one in three Brits perceive disabled people as less productive. In a country where low productivity is a challenge, it’s no surprise that disabled people face prejudice. This, combined with stagnant wages and higher unemployment, presents a challenging job market for disabled people seeking rewarding work. However, this isn’t stopping them from trying. Unemployed disabled people report that they want jobs and desire more support to get them. The government pledged to help more disabled people into work by 2027, introducing the ‘Access to Work’ scheme to achieve this. It promises to provide fi nancial support to employers hiring disabled people and fund “aid and equipment”. Market research fi rm Gartner predicts that by 2023 the number of disabled people employed will triple due to emerging technologies.
This isn’t just positive for disabled people, but also the organisations hiring them. As Daryl Plummer, Chief Gartner Fellow, said: “People with disabilities constitute an untapped pool of skilled talent.” By hiring them, fi rms can gain skills, support communities, increase retention rates and boost profi tability.
Software robots to the rescue Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is a useful tool that can support disabled workers. The technology creates virtual robots to exist within computers and can “see” what’s on screen, virtually controlling the mouse and keyboard, and completing manual and repetitive virtual processes. For disabled people this could be revolutionary. Someone might be a PhD-level expert, but if they fi nd controlling a computer mouse challenging, having software robots to copy, paste and move elements would support them to focus on more important tasks. The scope to make life easier with
automationmagazine.co.uk
Software robots will help people into work
RPA is huge – and we’re implementing solutions across several sectors, off ering new opportunities in everything from insurance and banking to healthcare and manufacturing. However, some of the most exciting career prospects for disabled people already exist within RPA. High in skill and demand, RPA off ers
a fulfi lling and challenging career path. With an extensive range of free training available, anyone can enter a novice and leave an expert if they’re motivated enough. Accessibility isn’t an issue, either; RPA can be done remotely, toppling another hurdle preventing ambitious disabled people from securing roles.
Levelling the playing field Our mantra that robots work with rather than against employees was strengthened by our partnership with Specialisterren. The company believes people with autism can fulfi l their talents when nurtured in the right setting. The skillset of those with autism fi ts with building robots, and as Ernst Kolvenbag, Specialisterren’s commercial director says, RPA can bridge the gap for those usually distanced from the job market.
This was certainly the case for Daniel Munnings, of Munnings Software Solutions. He explained: “RPA has potential to make disabled people’s lives easier, and it’s become a way of life. Many wouldn’t consider it an option, but with extensive training available and remote working common, RPA provides a
limitation-free career ladder.” “While many companies off er accessibility features for disabled employees, these are often fl awed. Anyone can do RPA, and with intuitive solutions and communities off ered by specialists like UiPath, workers needn’t look far for support. RPA isn’t just making jobs more accessible, it’s becoming a career that puts disabled people on a level playing fi eld with able-bodied peers,” he added.
An obvious investment RPA technologies are here – and some of the world’s largest businesses use them to support staff . With government funding available, there’s an opportunity for organisations to tap into the latent talent pool represented by disabled people. RPA also presents career opportunities for disabled people, off ering not only fl exibility, progression and support, but, ultimately, a level playing fi eld. Recruiters must see people and their skills, not their disability. Because, if disabilities can be overcome through assistive technology, the impact could be a productive workforce of bright, capable people, teamed with a shadow workforce of robots. Perhaps it’s the future – and not just for disabled people. A robot for every person – and the productivity to match.
CONTACT:
UiPath
www.uipath.com
Automation | October 2020 35
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