AssistiV, a screen-based technology designed to support sustainable employment opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, is being rolled out nationally.
The system is designed to simplify complex workplace tasks into easy-to-follow picture, text or audio clues, empowering autistic people, or individuals with learning and intellectual disabilities, to perform their roles independently and confidently.
AssistiV is already supporting 18 roles for people with learning and intellectual disabilities in the hospitality sector and 20 more in other sectors.
The company hopes to support 1,000 jobs within five years.
Sisters, Emma and Kate Connolly, are using the AssistiV technology to work in the Hyatt Centric Hotel, in Dublin.
"Everyone has been really kind and supportive and using AssistiV helps me remember my tasks and feel confident doing my job," Emma said.
Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary welcomed the roll-out of the technology.
"AssistiV represents the very best of innovation - technology that makes a tangible difference in people's lives.
"As Minister for Social Protection, I am committed to supporting more people with additional needs into meaningful employment, and initiatives like AssistiV show what’s possible when technology and empathy come together," Mr Calleary said.
AssistiV said it is working closely with Down Syndrome Ireland, NOW Group, and the National Learning Network to support more people with learning disabilities into employment.
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"Every person deserves the chance to contribute meaningfully at work," said Alan Craughwell, CEO of AssistiV Ireland.
"We’re proud that AssistiV has already helped almost 40 people achieve just that, and with today’s launch, we’re ready to bring those opportunities to hundreds more people across Ireland," Mr Craughwell said.
The national roll-out is being supported by Heineken Ireland, which has worked with AssistiV to pilot the technology in hospitality venues.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, he said the key is "workplace independence".
"So, this is about creating a win-win for both the individual and also for the business community, that they're going to get an employee that can just go about their day and be independent.
"And that's the key here, is workplace independence."
He explained that communication is a barrier to employment for many people.
"It's something that could stop somebody working in a front-facing role, say in a service, say behind a bar ... If you don't have literacy skills or numeracy skills, how are you going to actually fulfill an order independently?
"So, we've looked at all that and see how we can break down the barriers and address that."
