A Methodology for the Co-design of Shared VR Environments with People with Intellectual Disabilities: Insights from the Preparation Phase.

Research suggests that Virtual Reality (VR) has many applications for those with intellectual disabilities, and as the hardware needed to create such applications has become increasingly available and mature, it is now possible to further investigate these claims. We aim to use co-design methodology to identify, design, develop and validate a VR environment. Co-design treats the participants of research as "co-researchers". They are "experts by experience" in accessibility and disability issues and can provide valuable input. Five preparation phase sessions were held with n= 13 intellectually disabled individuals (supported by 4 teaching assistants). Using the Oculus Quest 2, they were able to try a range of VR applications. After completing the activities, they were prompted in follow-up post immersion focus groups to suggest what future applications of VR might be appropriate or desirable for the group as a whole and provide their thoughts and experiences on using the system. It was found that most experienced little difficulty in using the controllers, including performing the grip gesture to pick up and drop objects in the virtual environment. Even those that struggled with the controls engaged with the system and demonstrated interaction and engagement with the system that surpassed teaching assistants' expectations. Some indicated that they found aspects of the system relaxing and most were keen to try other VR applications. It is hoped that these insights will be useful moving forward in developing a virtual environment with this group and for progressing to the next stages in the co-design methodology - fieldwork and ideation.