The New Era of Segmenting Society on Ability Lines: Workplace Analytics and Disability Discrimination
Society for Disability Studies, Atlanta USA, June 2015
Posted: 12 Jul 2015
Date Written: June 10, 2015
Abstract
Big data is transforming what it means for segmenting society. Every time a person turns on their computer, carries a mobile phone, uses a swipe card, taps their credit card, borrows a library book, has an identification card scanned or their car registration recorded by the state or at a gas station, that individual has information about them stored. This mass of data is now being crunched by analytical tools that can explain past conduct, predict future conduct and help alter human conduct. These analytical tools are self-learning and involve billions of decisions to sort society in new and uncharted ways. The growth of workplace analytics is having a substantial impact on who is hired, fired and promoted. For persons with disabilities big data analytics presents both challenges and massive threats. This presentation will use disability theories to explore what workplace analytics means for anti-discrimination laws and for how we understand ability and disability.
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