AR Job Coaching Boosts Disabled Workers' Performance 79%

FAU study finds augmented reality can dramatically improve job training and independence for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 12:03am

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A study by researchers at Florida Atlantic University found that using augmented reality (AR) as a job coaching tool can dramatically improve performance and independence for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The study tested an AR-based application that delivered real-time, context-specific guidance to support the completion of complex job tasks. The results showed that participants' performance accuracy increased from 14% to 93% on average, with some reaching 100% accuracy, after just a 15-minute AR-supported training session - a process that typically takes 2-4 months with traditional job coaching.

Why it matters

This research highlights the transformative potential of AR technology to empower individuals with IDD and improve their access to meaningful, competitive employment. Traditional job coaching approaches have struggled with high turnover, inconsistent support, and ongoing social and environmental challenges that limit long-term job retention and success for this population. The AR-based job coaching tool offers a cost-effective, scalable solution that can dramatically accelerate training and enable greater independence, benefiting individuals with disabilities, employers, and service providers.

The details

The study had participants with IDD work as library assistants, practicing the complex task of shelving books. Researchers chose this job because it requires skills like reading, listening, and critical thinking that are often viewed as challenging for individuals with IDD. During the baseline phase, participants demonstrated consistently low performance, completing just 14% of task steps correctly on average. However, when the AR intervention was introduced, performance improved immediately and dramatically, with average task accuracy increasing to 93% and some participants reaching 100% accuracy. All participants met the mastery criteria of completing at least 90% of task steps correctly and independently across four consecutive sessions.

  • The study was published in March 2026 in the journal Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities.

The players

Ayse Torres

The senior author of the study, an associate professor in counselor education in FAU's College of Education, and an associate professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering within FAU's College of Engineering and Computer Science.

Kelly B. Kearney

An assistant professor in the Department of Special Education at FAU's College of Education and a co-author of the study.

Alexandro Galvez-Vega

A graduate assistant in FAU's College of Engineering and Computer Science and a co-author of the study.

Dariush Hassan

A software engineer in FAU's Sensing Institute (ISENSE) and a co-author of the study.

Mahesh Neelakanta

The director of information technology services at FAU University Libraries and a co-author of the study.

Hari Kalva

The chair and professor of the FAU Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, and a co-author of the study.

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What they’re saying

“Our findings show that augmented reality can dramatically accelerate job training for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities by breaking complex tasks into manageable, real-time supports.”

— Ayse Torres, Associate Professor (Mirage News)

“What makes this approach especially exciting is its sustainability. If we can use technology to help people work more independently while allowing programs to stretch their resources further, we create a system that benefits individuals, employers and service providers alike.”

— Ayse Torres, Associate Professor (Mirage News)

What’s next

The researchers plan to further develop and test the AR-based job coaching tool to explore its potential for wider adoption in supported employment programs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The takeaway

This study demonstrates the transformative potential of augmented reality technology to empower individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, dramatically improving their job training, performance, and independence in the workplace. By delivering real-time, context-specific guidance, AR-based job coaching can significantly accelerate the training process and enable greater long-term success in competitive, integrated employment settings.