Working with disabilities: reliable psychometric evaluations for everyone

What does "working with disabilities" mean?

Working with disabilities refers to the professional integration of persons with physical, sensory, or mental disabilities. It entails taking into account specific needs to enable full participation in the labor market. This calls for adapted selection procedures and test administration that accurately capture candidates’ actual capabilities – without distortion from the disability itself.

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Why adjustments are essential

Standard psychometric tests are typically designed for individuals without functional limitations. When applied to people with disabilities, the results can be unreliable or invalid. Cebir recognizes this challenge and therefore provides scientifically backed adjustments to test materials, depending on the nature and severity of the disability.

Possible adjustments per type of disability

Visual impairment: Cebir offers adapted versions that are compatible with magnification software (e.g. ZoomText), braille displays, or text-to-speech software. A test can also be administered without a time limit or with extra guidance. Spatially intensive tests are discouraged, as they cannot be adequately interpreted with limited vision.

Dyslexia and dyscalculia: For reading or math difficulties, it is crucial to provide test conditions with extra time, text-to-speech software, and breaks. Certain tests with heavy language content (such as Abalet or Anabo) are avoided; alternatives like the adaptive Num or Intel test are recommended, since they are less dependent on reading speed.

Autism and attention disorders: For these groups, a quiet testing environment, regular breaks, and individual guidance are recommended. This way, unnecessary stimuli can be minimized and cognitive load remains manageable.

Color vision impairments: Cebir collaborates with individuals with red–green color blindness during the development of test items. Stimuli are designed such that differentiation based on shape features is possible without relying on color.

Interpretation and validity

Adaptations to test materials and the method of administration affect how test results are interpreted. Therefore, each score is assessed individually, taking into account the aids used, the degree of disability, and the job requirements. Comparison with norm groups without disabilities is not recommended. Cebir provides specialized support at the analytical level in this regard.

Conclusion

Working with a disability should not be an obstacle to objective selection. Cebir contributes to an inclusive labor market by offering test solutions that are scientifically sound, individually adaptable, and fair. This way, organizations can select talent based on real competencies, not on the basis of barriers.

More information? Contact us via info@cebir.be.

Author

Cebir Research Team

With over 35 years of expertise, CEBIR provides scientifically validated psychometric tests to optimize recruitment and strengthen teams. This article summarizes research and abstracts written by our Research Team.