Workplace personal assistance services from 2010 to 2024: A scoping review

BackgroundEmployment rates for people with disabilities requiring care remain much lower than those for non-disabled individuals. Although Workplace Personal Assistance Services (WPAS) have been reported to support employment participation, they remain underdeveloped in many countries and underexplored in academic research. The most recent literature reviews date back to 2010 and 2011.ObjectiveThis scoping review maps the literature on WPAS between 2010 and 2024, focusing on policy frameworks, implementation challenges, reported outcomes, and emerging research issues.MethodsA scoping review was conducted through searches across major databases in six languages, targeting publications from 2010 to 2024. Studies were included if they focused on WPAS and employed empirical research methods.ResultsThirty studies were included, covering nine countries. The included studies suggest that WPAS may support people with severe or complex disabilities, including those with developmental disabilities, in accessing and maintaining competitive employment. Key issues include policy fragmentation, strict eligibility criteria, regional disparities, insufficient legal foundations, low user awareness, limited institutional support, and precarious working conditions for personal assistants. Nevertheless, several studies reported that WPAS may contribute to job satisfaction and social participation. Recent research also highlights the "invisible labor" performed by users and assistants.ConclusionsStrengthening WPAS requires promoting cross-sector integration, establishing a progressive cost-sharing system, and ensuring comprehensive legal protections. Securing steady funding, sufficient staffing, and improving outreach for application processes are also critical. Furthermore, fostering inclusive workplace cultures and strengthening training programs for personal assistants are essential to maximize WPAS benefits and achieve genuine inclusion.