Living with Disability - VR Experience

HOME SWEET HOME

It's mid-morning, and the sun peaks through blinds into an open-plan kitchen and lounge. A darkened television reflects the rest of the room—a familiar place, a little unkempt and filled with everyday objects. So what would it be like if this recognisable place suddenly became the backdrop for some very unfamiliar challenges?

Living with Intellectual Disability affords a first-hand experience— feel many of the interactions generally taken for granted and how they may look or feel different to other people. Importantly, the subject better recognises these difficulties and how disability support organisations play an important role in helping people to overcome their challenges.

The virtual home developed for this experience could exist in the real world. This house is filled with common household objects that we all recognise and relate to. This association helps settle the subject, making them feel comfortable. So when those unfamiliar challenges reveal themselves, they're caught off-guard, enhancing the impact of the experience.

Most of us consider our home a safe space, a respite from adversity, somewhere any difficulties we might face are forgotten. However, people living with disabilities can experience sensory information with more intensity than others. So something as simple as turning on the TV could be surprising and overwhelming.

Built for Oculus Quest