Inclusion and adaptation beyond disability: Using virtual reality to foster empathy
Background Virtual reality (VR) has the potential to be a powerful tool in promoting empathy towards inclusion, particularly for individuals with impairments such as mobility difficulties, vision deficits, or autism but also about pregnancy, which can create temporary difficulties. By immersing user...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine
2023-08-01
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| Series: | Medycyna Pracy |
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| Online Access: | http://medpr.imp.lodz.pl/Inclusion-and-adaptation-beyond-disability-Using-virtual-reality-to-foster-empathy,170296,0,2.html |
| _version_ | 1797688698540654592 |
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| author | Luis Pinto-Coelho Anna Laska-Leśniewicz Elizabeth T. Pereira Joanna Sztobryn-Giercuszkiewicz |
| author_facet | Luis Pinto-Coelho Anna Laska-Leśniewicz Elizabeth T. Pereira Joanna Sztobryn-Giercuszkiewicz |
| author_sort | Luis Pinto-Coelho |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background
Virtual reality (VR) has the potential to be a powerful tool in promoting empathy towards inclusion, particularly for individuals with impairments such as mobility difficulties, vision deficits, or autism but also about pregnancy, which can create temporary difficulties. By immersing users in simulated environments that replicate the experiences of those with different abilities, VR can create a sense of understanding and empathy for those who face challenges in their daily lives. For example, VR experiences can simulate the experience of navigating space as someone with a mobility impairment, providing a new perspective and appreciation for the difficulties that others face. Similarly, VR experiences can simulate the experience of vision impairment, pregnancy, or autism, providing a window into the challenges faced by those with these conditions and fostering empathy and understanding.
Material and Methods
During the development of this study, field experts were consulted to ensure the robustness of the methods employed. Then, questionnaires were specifically developed to explore disabilities and challenges related to inclusion and were administered to a large population. Additionally, guided interviews were conducted with individuals who possess specific impairments to gather first-hand insights.
Results
The results obtained from the questionnaires and interviews provide a comprehensive overview of the inclusion challenges that necessitate attention and resolution. By drawing on the expertise of both experts and individuals with lived experiences, a holistic landscape of inclusion challenges has been established.
Conclusions
The VR emerges as a powerful tool for promoting inclusion and fostering understanding among individuals. Its capacity to create immersive experiences that facilitate empathy has the potential to reshape society into a more compassionate and empathetic one. By leveraging the unique capabilities of VR, we can bridge the gap between different perspectives, fostering greater understanding, acceptance, and inclusivity. Med Pr. 2023;74(3):171–85 |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T01:34:29Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-b8637f50fb124d11b9fc27959823fea3 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0465-5893 2353-1339 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T01:34:29Z |
| publishDate | 2023-08-01 |
| publisher | Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Medycyna Pracy |
| spelling | doaj.art-b8637f50fb124d11b9fc27959823fea32023-09-11T11:02:07ZengNofer Institute of Occupational MedicineMedycyna Pracy0465-58932353-13392023-08-0174317118510.13075/mp.5893.01386170296Inclusion and adaptation beyond disability: Using virtual reality to foster empathyLuis Pinto-Coelho0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5673-7306Anna Laska-Leśniewicz1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0546-0378Elizabeth T. Pereira2https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8997-1249Joanna Sztobryn-Giercuszkiewicz3https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2148-4345Polytechnic Institute of Porto, Porto, Portugal (School of Engineering, Department of Physics)Lodz University of Technology, Łódź, Poland (Institute of Mechatronics and Information Systems)University of Aveiro, Aveiro, PortugalUniversity of Lodz, Łódź, Poland (Institute of Sociology)Background Virtual reality (VR) has the potential to be a powerful tool in promoting empathy towards inclusion, particularly for individuals with impairments such as mobility difficulties, vision deficits, or autism but also about pregnancy, which can create temporary difficulties. By immersing users in simulated environments that replicate the experiences of those with different abilities, VR can create a sense of understanding and empathy for those who face challenges in their daily lives. For example, VR experiences can simulate the experience of navigating space as someone with a mobility impairment, providing a new perspective and appreciation for the difficulties that others face. Similarly, VR experiences can simulate the experience of vision impairment, pregnancy, or autism, providing a window into the challenges faced by those with these conditions and fostering empathy and understanding. Material and Methods During the development of this study, field experts were consulted to ensure the robustness of the methods employed. Then, questionnaires were specifically developed to explore disabilities and challenges related to inclusion and were administered to a large population. Additionally, guided interviews were conducted with individuals who possess specific impairments to gather first-hand insights. Results The results obtained from the questionnaires and interviews provide a comprehensive overview of the inclusion challenges that necessitate attention and resolution. By drawing on the expertise of both experts and individuals with lived experiences, a holistic landscape of inclusion challenges has been established. Conclusions The VR emerges as a powerful tool for promoting inclusion and fostering understanding among individuals. Its capacity to create immersive experiences that facilitate empathy has the potential to reshape society into a more compassionate and empathetic one. By leveraging the unique capabilities of VR, we can bridge the gap between different perspectives, fostering greater understanding, acceptance, and inclusivity. Med Pr. 2023;74(3):171–85http://medpr.imp.lodz.pl/Inclusion-and-adaptation-beyond-disability-Using-virtual-reality-to-foster-empathy,170296,0,2.htmlpregnancyautismempathydisabilitiesvirtual realitysociety |
| spellingShingle | Luis Pinto-Coelho Anna Laska-Leśniewicz Elizabeth T. Pereira Joanna Sztobryn-Giercuszkiewicz Inclusion and adaptation beyond disability: Using virtual reality to foster empathy Medycyna Pracy pregnancy autism empathy disabilities virtual reality society |
| title | Inclusion and adaptation beyond disability: Using virtual reality to foster empathy |
| title_full | Inclusion and adaptation beyond disability: Using virtual reality to foster empathy |
| title_fullStr | Inclusion and adaptation beyond disability: Using virtual reality to foster empathy |
| title_full_unstemmed | Inclusion and adaptation beyond disability: Using virtual reality to foster empathy |
| title_short | Inclusion and adaptation beyond disability: Using virtual reality to foster empathy |
| title_sort | inclusion and adaptation beyond disability using virtual reality to foster empathy |
| topic | pregnancy autism empathy disabilities virtual reality society |
| url | http://medpr.imp.lodz.pl/Inclusion-and-adaptation-beyond-disability-Using-virtual-reality-to-foster-empathy,170296,0,2.html |
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