A WORKPLACE INCLUSION OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES: PROPOSAL AND PILOT APPLICATION OF THE WORKPLACE ACCESSIBILITY ECONOMY INDEX IN THE MANAUS INDUSTRIAL HUB

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61541/300wcm91

Keywords:

Assistive technologies, Workplace inclusion, Persons with disabilities, Workplace accessibility, Organizational assessment

Abstract

This article develops and pilot-tests the Workplace Accessibility Economy Index (IEAT, its Portuguese acronym), drawing on theoretical and legal frameworks for the workplace inclusion of persons with disabilities. This exploratory and descriptive study combines a literature review, legal analysis, and an online questionnaire administered to human resource managers at companies in the Manaus Industrial Hub. Nine valid responses were obtained and analyzed across seven organizational dimensions. Governance and Institutional Policies and Job Retention and Professional Development received the highest scores, while Assistive Technologies and Inclusive Culture recorded the lowest relative scores. These differences highlight the relevance of a multidimensional analysis of reported practices. The pilot application provides insights for exploratory assessment and refinement of the IEAT, presented as a preliminary proposal requiring further validation before broader use.

Author Biographies

  • Marklea da Cunha, .

    Associate Professor at the State University of Amazonas (UEA), lawyer, and researcher in the fields of Law, assistive technology, accessibility, and inclusion, working across tourism, education, the labor market, and the environment. She holds a Ph.D. in Tourism and Hospitality from the University of Vale do Itajaí (Univali, 2020), a Master’s degree in Law from the Federal University of Paraná (UFPR, 2007), a specialization in Labor Law from the Curitiba University Center (UNICURITIBA, 2003), and a Bachelor's degree in Law from the Tuiuti University of Paraná (2000). She began her university teaching career in 2004 at UFPR. After moving from Curitiba to Manaus, she expanded her work in higher education teaching, community outreach, and academic administration. She served as program coordinator and academic director for approximately seven years, integrating professional training, legal practice, citizenship, and cooperation with justice system institutions. At UEA, she coordinates the "Mais Acesso" Teaching, Research, and Outreach Program and the UEA Accessibility, Innovation, and Inclusion Laboratory (MAIS ACESSO LIIA), in addition to leading the "Mais Acesso", Human Rights, and Inclusion Research Group, registered in the CNPq Directory.

    Her research agenda originated from community outreach efforts focused on assessing the accessibility of tourist attractions in Manaus and was further developed in her doctoral dissertation on the effectiveness of public policies for accessible tourism. Subsequently, this agenda expanded to include the inclusion of persons with disabilities in education, the labor market, and the environment, maintaining a predominantly empirical and applied focus. She coordinates the development of the "Mais Acesso Conecta" platform (www.maisacessoconecta.com.br), a digital applied research and social innovation solution structured around three core pillars: Inclusive Education, Workplace Inclusion, and Accessible Tourism. In Education, the platform assists teachers and educational institutions in identifying barriers, planning pedagogical strategies and adaptations, accessing assistive technologies, and requesting accessible teaching materials through the Inclusive Pedagogical Support Center. In Workplace Inclusion, it connects persons with disabilities and apprentices with job opportunities while offering organizational support in hiring, accessibility, retention, and professional development. In Tourism, it provides training, technical guidelines, publications, checklists, and consulting services for destinations, attractions, events, and businesses, contributing to the development of accessible, neuroinclusive, and welcoming experiences. She is a research fellow funded by FAPEAM Call No. 020/2024 (Productivity in CTI) and coordinates funded research, outreach, and technological development projects. She has served as a UNESCO consultant, in cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism (MTur), under Project 914BRZ4024 (Call No. 01/2022), conducting research aimed at strengthening accessible tourism. She also serves as a consultant for UNDP Project BRA/18/008 (Call No. 04/2025), in cooperation with the Ministry of Human Rights and Citizenship (MDHC), researching and systematizing national and international best practices for promoting the sexual rights of persons with disabilities. Additionally, she develops accessible tourism studies and tools under the Technical Cooperation Agreement between UEA and MTur, highlighting a national study on neurodivergent tourists and the "Guide to Welcoming Neurodivergent Tourists." Furthermore, she acts as a consultant and ad hoc evaluator for INEP/BASis and participates in initiatives bridging academia, government, the justice system, the productive sector, and civil society. Her scientific, technical, and technological output is oriented toward transforming knowledge into inclusive solutions, policies, and practices, advancing science communication, and training new researchers. Institutional email: mferst@uea.edu.br

  • Osmildo Oliveira da Silva, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas

    Pesquisador voluntário no Programa de Extensão Mais Acesso, da Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Amazonas/Manaus, Brasil.

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Published

2026-10-22

Data Availability Statement

Aggregated research findings are presented in the article. Individual responses are not publicly available due to the risk of indirectly identifying participants and organizations, given the small number of respondents. Any sharing of these data is subject to an assessment of consent conditions, confidentiality, and the protection of the identities of those involved.

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Vol. 21 No. 21 (2026): RevDireito v.21

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How to Cite

A WORKPLACE INCLUSION OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES: PROPOSAL AND PILOT APPLICATION OF THE WORKPLACE ACCESSIBILITY ECONOMY INDEX IN THE MANAUS INDUSTRIAL HUB. (2026). Revista De Direito - Trabalho, Sociedade E Cidadania, 21(21), e212026202. https://doi.org/10.61541/300wcm91

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