Can virtual reality methodologies improve the quality of life of people with disabilities?

Abstract

Despite of the importance of assistive technology devices for the independence and quality of life of people with disabilities large part of the prescription is abandoned after some time. The abandonment of assistive technology (AT) resources has been justified by the difficulties of user interaction / technology, mainly due to problems in the aesthetics of the product, difficulty in learning to use and lack of assessment of use in situations of stress or imminent risk. This article discusses the use of virtual reality (VR) as a tool for the evaluation of assistive technology products during the development process, which when fitted into appropriate methodologies, can be trusted, viable and present some advantages such as being more comprehensive have ecological validity, keeping track of variables, besides enabling the application to situations of danger and stress. Were analyzed the possibilities of use of VR in different situations for evaluation of device AT: (a) product aesthetics; (b) of the learning process for use of the product; (c) of viability of resource usage in risk situations imminent.