Abstract
Occupational therapists are specially trained to understand the environment and its impact on individuals with disabilities or decreased access to resources. OT’s create custom virtual spaces with an aim to foster community engagement by bridging the gap between virtual and physical spaces. Students are trained to use virtual reality as an intervention for individuals with physical, mental, or emotional needs. Using the virtual space allows the user to engage with the environment in a customized way that promotes engagement and decreases stress. The purpose of this research is to better understand the utility of a virtual environment as a clinical assessment and intervention in the home environment. Analysis revealed contextual and client-centered recommendations for designed virtual spaces at universities and in communities. We demonstrate how to set-up virtual spaces using a holistic perspective that considers the physical, mental, and emotional needs of the user; and how the designed virtual environment can be modified for individuals with disabilities.
Presenters
Natalie A. PerkinsDepartment Chair, Occupational Therapy, University of the Pacific, California, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Theme
KEYWORDS
Virtual Space, Holistic Design, Disabilities, Healthcare Perspective
