AWIEW at the 39th Annual Conference on Inclusive Research (IFO) in Bremen

From February 18 to 20, 2026, the 39th Annual Conference on Inclusive Research took place at the University of Bremen under the theme “Research – Attitude – Activism? Inclusive Research between Educational Utopia and System Conformity” As part of the SymposiumPlus on vocational orientation, the project “Working – the way I want to!” (AWIEW) was represented.

Lisa Preissner and Dr. Ann Christin Schulz (Social Research Centre, TU Dortmund) together with Vertr. Prof. Dr. Bastian Pelka (Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, TU Dortmund University) presented their contribution entitled “Employment Options for People with Disabilities: How an AI‑Based Tool can support Career Orientation”.

They demonstrated how an AI‑supported needs analysis instrument has been developed within AWIEW to help people with disabilities reflect on their interests and competencies as a basis for self‑determined career orientation. Findings from accompanying context research further highlight that the tool is not intended to replace pedagogical guidance but rather to complement it meaningfully.

The presentation generated considerable interest among researchers and practitioners, particularly due to the potential of the developed tool to foster self‑determination in vocational orientation.