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VR training for
support workers
H
ouse with No Steps
Group has unveiled its
prototype virtual reality
(VR) learning tool for disability
support workers.
The VR learning prototype offers
support staff the opportunity to
experience and learn about possible
House with No Steps Group Chief
Executive Officer Andrew Richardson
said virtual reality is a powerful tool.
“We want to harness it to help
sector, to complement other
methods of training.”
The prototype was developed
in partnership with UNSW and
our support workers learn safely the Centre for Social Impact, with
about high-risk workplace situations,” support workers closely involved in
Andrew said. the design process.
“Having well-trained and
Felicity Nelson, Strategic Innovation
high-risk situations in a safe and dedicated staff is at the heart of our Lead at House with No Steps Group,
realistic way. commitment to provide outstanding said the input from support staff was
support to our customers. crucial to the project.
The organisation embarked on
developing the prototype in July
“We definitely see how our
“We interviewed dozens of
2017, after receiving $200,000 from prototype can be used not only support staff across rural and metro
the National Disability Services within our organisation, but areas. It was important for us to
(NDS) Innovative Workforce Fund. throughout the disability services learn about the complex needs they
encounter on a daily basis. Feedback
from support staff who tested the
prototype was also incredibly useful
– we made sure we incorporated their
input into successive iterations of the
prototype,” she said.
House with No Steps Group
completed testing of the VR
learning prototype in mid-2018. The
organisation recently submitted a
report with their recommendations
back to NDS.
“Developing the prototype is
really just the start of our journey,”
Felicity said.
“We want to pilot the experience
with groups of staff and trainers across
our organisation – we want them to
start to incorporate it as part of their
training. We’re hoping to find some
Felicity Nelson, with Support
Manager Ishwori Gaire.
8
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additional funding to help us take this
exciting development forward.”
www.hwns.com.au
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