Augmented reality: a view to future visual supports for people with disability

Abstract

Background: Augmented reality (AR) technologies may provide immersive visual supports that foster active user engagement in activities. However, there is little research examining the use of AR as a visual support to guide its use in research or therapy settings. Aims: To investigate the development and use of AR for delivering visual supports in an immersive environment, using the Microsoft® HoloLens2® and Microsoft® Dynamics 365 Guides® software. Method: In a duo-ethnography, two speech-language pathologists who were novice users of the HoloLens2®, examined the affordances of the device for potential use in future research with people with neurodevelopmental disability. In a proof-of-concept study, an AR application was designed by the first author and used by two researchers in a duo-ethnography. The first and second author tested the AR guide and reflected on opportunities and barriers to further use of AR technology, specifically the HoloLens2®, to support people with disability to participate and be included in meaningful activities. Results: The guide created provided situated visual instructions, video models, and holographic symbols to direct the second author in making of a cup of tea. While a moderate level of technological literacy was needed to establish and install a guide, effective use could be established with minimal training. Discussion & conclusions: AR guides offer a situated and integrated means of providing visual support to people with disabilities. This proof-of-concept study justifies further testing and evaluation of AR as an assistive technology for people with neurodevelopmental disability.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION Emerging immersive Augmented Reality technology provides new opportunities to create integrated visual supports that function within the user’s environment to enable active participation in activities and interactions. Visual supports integrated with the user’s environment may better support people with disability to actively engage and attend to objects and to their communication partners. While new and emerging technologies like Augmented Reality are largely untested for disability support, they offer opportunities to enable participation in independent activities.