Marilyn Zamarripa

Background

Research Project and Methodology

Results

Conclusions

Mobility-Impaired often isolated from society◦ Nature or limitation of disability◦ Public knowledge of how to approach or interact

Consequences◦ Depression◦ Lack of information◦ Lack of social contact

Internet and social networks have opened new possibilities

What about Virtual Worlds?

Increasing research on the VWs and the disabled but not specifically on the mobility-impaired

Research Project 5/09 - 5/10 - Second Life

Virtual Worlds and People with Mobility Impairment:

Are there social and information benefits to participating in a Virtual World?

What are the barriers?

Definition: Mobility-Impaired

Impairment that affects coordination and movement or physical stamina.

Includes lower body impairments that may require the use of a cane, a walker, or a wheelchair.

Includes upper body impairments that may result in limited or no use of the hands.

Research Questions

Community elements

Activities and satisfaction

Benefits

Barriers

Research Groups in Second Life Virtual Ability – large well established

community

The Hope Village – small, newer community

Research Methods One year participation

Survey

Interview

Primary Criteria Mobility-Impaired

Demographics

Other disability conditions

Sense of Virtual Community

◦ Feelings about a community and the people – a feeling of belonging and shared interest

◦ Anita Blanchard Developing a Sense of Virtual Community Measure

◦ Julie Hersberger, Adam Murray and Kevin Rioux4-tier framework Examining information exchange and virtual communities: an emergent framework

Four- Tier Framework

Tier 1◦ Membership◦ Influence◦ Integration and fulfillment of needs◦ Shared emotional connections

Tier 2◦ Social networking

Tier 3◦ Information exchange

Tier 4 ◦ Information acquiring and sharing

What the respondents said

Activities and satisfaction

Field trips◦ New places, activities and experiences

Informal get-togethers and dances◦ Socialization and fun

Meetings, lectures and classes◦ Learning new skills and information

Mentoring◦ Helping, making someone’s day better

Benefits of Virtual Worlds and membership in a virtual disability community

Increased socialization

Increased self esteem

Ability to obtain information from people in similar situations

◦ Lectures

◦ Presentations

◦ Group chat

Benefits in VW often lead to benefits in AW

Feel less alone

Increased confidence

Rehabilitation tool◦ Recognized by medical profession

◦ Better able to focus

◦ Improved ability to think and talk

Learning new skill especially computer skills

Barriers faced

Second Life technology◦ Steep learning curve

Fine motor limitations – keyboard manipulation◦ Moving objects◦ Camera control◦ Challenge and fatigue of typing

Social anxiety

The big “so what”

Sense of Virtual Community (SOVC)

Community elements found in Virtual Ability & The Hope Village

A community does not exist just by merelythe existence of a group

◦ Social processes and behaviors must be present

Chat sessions and activities Providing support for each other Information sharing

Develop and maintain group norms Leadership supporting chat and activities

While the Internet can provide the information people with a mobility impairment may need and

Social networks and blogs can help them connect with people

The three-dimensional environment of a Virtual World such as Second Life can do much more to enrich their lives and enhance their self esteem and mental well-being.

Virtual Worlds such as Second Life provide the opportunity and capability to ACTUALLY DO THINGS.◦ Walk the streets of New York and Paris

◦ Visit an Egyptian tomb

◦ Fly over a city

◦ Scuba dive in the ocean

◦ Learn to paint a picture

Not exactly the same, but close enough, they have the feeling of being there.

Virtual Worlds provide the opportunity for:

Meeting and talking to people◦ May be only form of adult conversation◦ Socialization◦ Life long friendships

Control over their environment

Learning new skills

Feeling less isolated

Why was this project important?

The potential to bring an entirely new world to people with mobility impairments.

Mobility in a Virtual World: living virtually