Working life of people with disabilities during the Covid-19 pandemic – An interview study conducted in Sweden

Abstract

This report presents the results from an interview study carried out as part of the research project "Working life during the Covid-19 pandemic: learning experiences, design opportunities and future working life for people with disabilities". The aims of the research project are, firstly, to investigate how people with various disabilities experienced and coped with their working lives during the Covid-19 pandemic, and what tools and strategies they used to achieve social participation. Secondly, to explore how these learning experiences and insights can contribute to improving the conditions for vulnerable groups to participate in and contribute to working life. The report includes a large collection of opportunities and challenges faced by people with disabilities in their working lives during the pandemic. The experiences and stories shared by the 26 interviewees evoke many thoughts and reflections about remote working conditions, often in hybrid settings. Opportunities and challenges are identified in three themes: I) Social support, II) Work environment, and III) Technology, accessibility, and infrastructure. Above all, the report is forward-looking, and the insights presented provide input to the shaping of future working life in a post-pandemic world. It highlights what is required in terms of leadership, work environment, digital competencies, access to technology and infrastructure.