Developing virtual reality learning tools

House with No Steps (now Aruma) has won funding to develop innovative Virtual Reality-based learning tools for disability support workers.

July 18, 2017

We’ve been awarded $200,000 funding from the National Disability Services (NDS) Innovative Workforce Fund to develop prototype Virtual Reality (VR) learning tools for disability support workers.

As a Showcase Project recipient, we will prototype the VR learning tools in a 12-month project, in partnership with the Centre for Social Impact.

The project will explore how VR or augmented reality can be used to enhance training, skills, and work practices among disability support workers – as well as empowering National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants as co-learners.

The prototype to be developed will aim to enhance the capabilities of disability support workers with respect to risk-related scenarios in their workplace, and create new opportunities for learning through lifelike scenarios and experiences.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for us, along with its support workers and customers, to explore how a new technology like virtual reality can enhance learning about risk in a disability supported setting,” said Angela Meyer, our Strategic Innovation Lead.

“Virtual experiences offer us a chance to practice our responses to risk-related events in a safe way,” said Angela.

“This award from the NDS Innovative Workforce Fund is an honour to receive and testament to our commitment to innovation to help people with disability live a great life. We are excited to be able to engage our workforce and customers in experimenting with this cutting edge technology, which provides the opportunity for immersive and experiential learning” said Andrew Richardson, CEO.