As the VIRTUS project continues to make strides, the project partners met at ARCIL headquarters, in Lousa, Portugal to discuss the project’s progress and plan its future activities.

But wait, what is the VIRTUS project again?

VIRTUS is a 2-year project funded by the Erasmus+ programme, which aims to address the challenges faced by autistic individuals in their transition into the labour market. By developing an innovative vocational training programme that integrates Virtual Reality (VR) technology, the project seeks to provide autistic individuals with the necessary skills to secure and maintain meaningful employment.

Good news #1

The first piece of excellent news is that Omega, the partner organisation responsible for developing the VR scenarios accompanying the training programme, has finalised its product. 3 different scenarios have been developed to support autistic people to acquire the most important skills to be able to work in a specific profession (e.g., a barista, office clerk, kitchen assistant).

How does a VR scenario work? 

Users wear VR headsets, transporting themselves to the respective professional environment, such as a coffee shop, office, or kitchen. The app offers two modes:

1. The training mode, which provides users with instructions to follow
2. the free (or assessment) mode, where users perform tasks without explicit guidance (e.g., preparing an espresso).

To accommodate the needs of autistic individuals, Omega incorporated clear instructions and even provided options to adjust the app's audio, taking into account the sensory sensitivities of autistic individuals.

In the next phase of the project, autistic people, along with their trainers, will test and assess the scenarios, allowing for adjustments and improvements as needed. Stay tuned for more updates!

Good news #2

The second – but equally exciting – piece of news is that the meeting in Lousa, Portugal provided the perfect opportunity for the VIRTUS consortium to visit ARCIL's vocational training center. During this meetup, project partners had the chance to see firsthand the impressive work carried out by ARCIL in supporting persons with disabilities in their integration into the mainstream workforce.

Their vocational training program accommodates a diverse group of trainees with disabilities and focuses on developing vocational skills in various areas. This centre is a leading example of how to promote inclusion for trainees with disabilities, who can benefit from the expertise of highly motivated and experienced staff who help them explore their full potential throughout their journey towards employment.

Learn more about VIRTUS on the project website.