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People with physical disabilities needs safe environments in which to learn basic skills. Virtual Reality is the answer.
ORI scientists were the first to use Virtual Reality to teach motor skills to children with disabilities. We have used this method to increase the mobility of blind and deaf-blind children, as well as for training children to operate their wheelchairs. The computer-generated environment simulates a busy street much as in a computer game and, through virtual reality technology, the child has the experience of driving the wheelchair.
Our researchers are developing a variety of education and rehabilitation programs for individuals with disabilities. Computer-simulated environments are becoming more and more realistic, offering a real-world experience in the safety of the training labs.
Current GrantsInvestigating the Effects of Teaching Orientation & Mobility Skills to Children who are Blind or Visually Impaired in Virtual Reality: A Phase II Steppingstones Project (Orientation Skills)
The purpose of this research project is to conduct a controlled experimental study to investigate the specific effects of teaching localization and tracking skills to children in virtual reality as indexed in the real world.
Principal Investigator: Dean Inman
Project Period: 10/1/06 - 9/30/09
U. S. Department of Education
Teaching Real-World Wayfinding Skills in Virtual Reality over the Internet to Children who are Blind and Visually Impaired - A Phase II Steppingstones Project (Wayfinding)
The Virtual Reality team is using computer simulation and the Internet to enable Orientation and Mobility trainers to work with blind or visually impaired children, without having to be physically present.
Principal Investigator: Dean Inman
Project Period: 10/1/08 - 9/30/10
U. S. Department of Education