Inclusive work environments for people with disabilities: the significance of personas for differential work design

The advancing digitalization of work, including the integration of technologies such as artificial intelligence, is profoundly reshaping professional environments. While digital tools offer opportunities for innovative work models and increased efficiency, the specific needs of people with disabilities are frequently overlooked in these transformation processes. At the same time, assistive technologies are evolving rapidly, creating new possibilities for participation, autonomy, and inclusion. To bridge this gap, differential work design emerges as a promising approach. It calls for the systematic adaptation of working conditions to the diverse abilities and needs of individuals. A key method within this framework is the use of personas—fictional, but research-informed user profiles that represent the experiences of people with disabilities. Personas facilitate the early integration of accessibility considerations into design processes, helping to identify barriers and inform inclusive solutions. This study illustrates how personas can be developed through an interdisciplinary methodology. The findings underscore the critical role of contextual factors and subjective user perspectives in shaping effective, inclusive work design. Practical Relevance : The use of personas offers valuable potential for identifying barriers in digital work environments at an early stage. They can raise employer awareness of inclusive design principles, highlight existing deficits in digital inclusion, and support efforts to improve access to work for people with disabilities. However, personas are not a substitute for the direct and active involvement of people with disabilities in design and decision-making processes. The methodology presented here contributes to the discourse on differential work design, with the overarching aim of fostering a humane and inclusive working environment. In such an environment, digital technologies are not only efficient but also reflective, accessible, and aligned with the diverse needs of all users.