Challenges and Enablers: Remote Work for People with Disabilities in Software Development Teams
The increasing adoption of remote and hybrid work modalities in the technology sector has brought new opportunities and challenges for the inclusion of people with disabilities (PWD) in software development teams (SDT). This study investigates how remote work affects PWDs' experience in mixed-ability SDT, focusing on the unique challenges and strategies that emerge in remote environments. We conducted an online survey with \totalSurveyResponses valid responses, encompassing PWD, their leaders, and teammates, to capture sociotechnical aspects of their experiences with remote collaboration. To deepen our understanding, we carried out 14 structured interviews with software developers who self-identified as having disabilities (six autistic individuals, six with physical disabilities, and two who are d/Deaf). Our analysis combines quantitative data with qualitative coding of open-ended survey responses and interview transcripts. The results reveal that, despite the barriers faced by team members with disabilities, their teammates and leaders have a limited perception of the daily challenges involved in sustaining collaborative remote work. These findings highlight opportunities for improvement in accessibility tools, communication strategies, and adaptive management approaches.