Participatory Ergonomics in Designing Working Environments for Persons with Cognitive Disabilities: A Pilot Study on Sheltered Workshops in Hong Kong

Studies have shown that the working environment is closely related to the employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. Currently, the employment rate of persons with disabilities in many areas is not high. The theory of participatory ergonomics, which emphasises collaboration and user-centred design, has been widely applied in industrial and environmental design. This paper uses literature analysis to examine the factors affecting the employment rate of persons with disabilities in the working environment from three dimensions: physical, cognitive, and social aspects. Using sheltered workshops—a major employment venue for people with disabilities in Hong Kong—as a pilot site, the paper analyses the issues faced by trainees working there through qualitative research methods such as participatory observation and interviews. Ultimately, it proposes a participatory design framework suitable for the development of sheltered workshops in Hong Kong.