Our VRelovate tool
VRelovate (Virtual Reality Editor Leveraging Opportunity Tech Lab’s Virtual Assets for Training and Education) is a tool that allows content creators to easily develop Virtual Reality experiences without the need to program any code.
Inspired by video game design programs, it is a platform featuring intuitive drag-and-drop elements that allow non-technical users to edit immersive 180 or 360-degree videos.
By using VRelovate, we can efficiently design immersive learning experiences that can be used by people with disabilities, advocates, employers, and non-disabled employees to overcome barriers to employment.
VRelovate has the potential to make a significant impact on the employment and entrepreneurship outcomes of disadvantaged groups, such as people with cognitive impairments, in several ways:
Accessibility
For individuals with challenging psychosocial sensitivities or those living in remote areas, VRelovate can provide access to opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach. They can participate in training programs, attend networking events, or even run a business from the comfort of their own home.
Empathy training for support workers, co-workers, and managers
By immersing users in the experiences of others, VRelovate can foster empathy and understanding as well as counteract socio-cultural stigmas. Advocates and trainers of the general workforce can use it as a learning tool to foster an empathetic understanding of the barriers people with disabilities face on their path to open employment and to create an inclusive work environment. Additionally, it can be used in fields like social work or healthcare to develop a deep understanding of the experiences of disadvantaged groups.
Assessment
Current VR assessment tools often focus on abstract cognitive aspects, leaving a gap in the evaluation of everyday living and task performance. The real-life representative assessments VRelovate can create are especially crucial to effectively support people with cognitive impairment or those who are neurodivergent.
Job interview preparation
VRelovate can simulate job interviews, providing people with the opportunity to practice and improve their interview skills in a safe environment adapted to address their unique needs. This can increase their confidence and chances of success when applying for jobs.
Skills training
VRelovate can safely provide immersive, hands-on training in a variety of fields, from technical skills like coding or machinery operation, to soft skills like communication and leadership. This can help individuals gain the skills they need to secure employment or start a business.
Entrepreneurship development
VRelovate can provide a low-risk environment to help aspiring entrepreneurs develop pitching skills and confidence to test out their ideas, learn from their mistakes, and refine their strategies. This can be particularly beneficial for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, who face additional barriers in attracting investments and may not have the resources to risk on a new venture.