On my research journey thus far, I have had many different ideas on very diverse topics. But the one idea that was most fleshed out and that resonated most with Fabry and me was on the topic of disability. More specifically, I had two ideas of where this topic could lead:
- Input methods (in the context of gaming) for disabled people
- Virtual-Reality therapy for disabled people (or people with disorders)
Both of them touch on the same topic, disability, but each one is distinct and offers a different direction for exploration. Currently, I tend to favor the second idea of doing my thesis on the topic of VR treatment and therapy.
Individuals with physical disabilities may face challenges when using electronic devices and digital services that rely on standard input methods. One area of focus within this vast domain of interaction is the gaming landscape. In recent years, there have been numerous innovations in the field of accessibility. For instance, Xbox and PlayStation have created their own unique controllers for disabled people. However, designing for people with disabilities presents several difficult problems that need to be addressed. One of the biggest factors is the availability of customization options. The list of requirements is vast and unique for everybody. Nobody should be unable to enjoy their favorite game just because of a physical limitation of their body. For these people, gaming can often be more than just a simple way to pass the time – it can transport them into different worlds and has the opportunity to change their lives.
Virtual reality therapy is a therapeutic approach which utilizes a virtual reality headset to simulate real time environments in an immersive and controlled way. It can be a great training method for physically impaired people. However, VR therapy may not just be an interesting prospect for dealing with physical problems. VR is also being used in the treatment of psychological and mental problems and disorders. Prominently in the treatment of phobias. The fear of flying, spiders or social anxiety can be treated by VR exposure therapy. One significant advantage VR has over more traditional treatment methods is time and cost efficiency. It is inexpensive to set up and can be adapted to many different use cases with relatively low time and financial investments. Furthermore, the US military uses VR to treat war veterans with PTSD. We are just beginning to tap into the value of VR as a training and therapy method.
#Disability #Accessibility #Training #Therapy #VR #InputMethods
How to tackle this subject & what I learned from the second feedback round
Over the course of my second meeting with Fabry, I was able to glean some valuable insights. For one, I learned that I do not need to have the specific topic nailed down to the last detail yet. Rather, it would be more advantageous to have a broad and open perspective on the topic of disability in general and look into many diverse areas instead of limiting myself right now. For example, instead of focusing on just VR or input methods, I could take a look at the topic of immersive media in general. Furthermore, I realized that this exploration of themes and topics is exactly what these blogs are for. In the upcoming blog posts, I might want to tackle a different topic in each one or discuss an intriguing piece of literature I have come across. I look forward to exploring many ideas in the upcoming blog posts.
Potential research questions
At this stage I do not want to narrow my focus too quickly. Instead I want to explore this diverse field of research further before narrowing it down. With regard to the two topics proposed, some potential research questions could be as follows:
- How can VR be used in the treatment of patients (with …)?
- Which input methods (regarding gaming) exist for people with disabilites?
Moreover there are many sub-questions which will arise:
- How would a VR experience look like?
- Why do it like this? Who would use it?
- What are hardware requirements?
- What are the results? Can it really help?
Relevance for design field & how can design help with this problem?
Accessibility has steadily gained more and more relevance in many different areas and rightfully so. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 16% of the global population experiences some form of disability. However, progress in this area is slow and disabled people face numerous challenges in their daily lives. VR therapy can be employed to assist people in training their bodies and minds, aiding in their recovery or strengthening their body and mind. When it comes to mental disorders, VR therapy has the possibility of saving lives. As previously mentioned, it is utilized by the US military to treat veterans with PTSD. Despite this, on average, 17 US military veterans commit suicide every day. A grim number, but it is reality. In light of such statistics, the relevance of such treatment methods becomes apparent. VR therapy offers the opportunity to help a variety of patients with different disabilities at a relatively low cost. As for gaming, it has the power to transport people into different worlds, explore wonderful places and alleviate anxiety. Online gaming can help them socialize, and online gaming communities foster a sense of belonging.
As designers, we have the ability to connect many different fields and strive in these multidisciplinary environments. These skills are applicable in numerous domains, such as designing both physical and digital training environments. Designing these therapeutic processes with a holistic approach in conjunction with the medical assistant, the end user and the technology used. Furthermore, medical programs are often only focused on treating the illness but neglect the UX and usability of the people using the product (as I have learned in talking to my brother – more on that further down). These factors ultimately harm the process and the efficiency of the healing method.
Challenges
A research topic like this poses many challenges that need to be overcome. One of which is getting the right contacts and being able to talk and work with them. This necessitates having access to medical professionals and the ability to interact with disabled individuals, possibly conducting tests.
Furthermore, getting the right medical information to validate or invalidate potential hypotheses will also be challenging.
Personal motivation
This might be a good point to talk about my personal motivation regarding this topic.
On December 4, 2020, the world for my family and me got turned upside down when we got the news that my brother was involved in a big car accident on the highway from Linz to Vienna. We didn’t know whether he would survive, and neither did the doctors. Hearing his voice again after a month in a coma was a huge relief. Still, the struggle was far from over. My brother had to relearn many things. How to properly move his hands, how to walk and much more. However, after every physical rehabilitation period, you could see the progress he made. One of the techniques used in his rehabilitation was virtual reality therapy. I learned about this subject during my bachelor’s as well, but seeing this relatively new form of therapy used in a real setting and the enjoyment my brother had when using it left a lasting impression on me. It’s still sometimes hard and a challenge, but we are glad every day that we still have him.
As for the gaming topic, the story is far less dramatic. I myself enjoy playing games. A lot. Online, I have seen the struggles of disabled gamers and the challenges they face when they try to play games. Accessibility is (fortunately) becoming a bigger topic in the gaming industry and many new games feature extensive accessibility options. However, progress is slow. What interests me especially is the way of controlling the game, how inputs can be made, and how they are handled. I want to help these people gain more self-confidence and freedom. Everybody should be able to enjoy what they love regardless of the physical limitations they migth have.
Possible solutions to the challenges ahead
As mentioned above, my brother has spent a lot of time in hospitals. During that time, he met many doctors and nurses. These contacts may be able to provide support and help with my thesis. Furthermore, my brother can provide many insightful experiences and may be able to assist as a tester for potential applications. Additionally, a relative of mine works as a neurologist. He might also be open to an interview or have useful contacts.
These are difficult challenges to overcome, but there are also opportunities open for me. The best case would be a cooperation with a medical institution. But what will be really possible? Only time will tell.
Intended steps / methodology
Currently, I am in the process of researching this topic to acquire as much information and learn as much as possible. Deciding how to sort and order this information will be vital. Simultaneously, I am also thinking about how to conduct my future research and the possible outcomes of a project on this topic. Possible steps and results may include:
- Analysis
- Prototype (physical, VR environment, etc.)
- User Testing
- Survey
- Guide handbook
Further outlook
As stated above I will continue doing research but with a wider view, being open for any intriguing topics and findings. In the upcoming blog posts, I then want to focus more on specific topics.
Also, to note is that I wrote this blog post quite informally and from a very personal point of view. Further blog posts will likely be more „academic“ and „formal“.
References
controller image: Xbox Adaptive Controller | Xbox
VR-therapy image: What is VR Therapy and 3 Pros of Being an Early Adopter (malonesolutions.com)
WHO statistic: Disability (who.int)
Veteran statistic: Virtual Reality Therapy: PTSD Treatment for Veterans (soldierstrong.org)
