Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 18, 2026

Development of an Audio-based Virtual Gaming Environment to Assist with Navigation Skills in the Blind
Published on: March 27, 2013
Enabling two persons with multiple disabilities to access environmental stimuli and ask for social contact through
Giulio E Lancioni1, Mark F O'Reilly, Nirbhay N Singh
1Department of Psychology, University of Bari, Bari, Italy. g.lancioni@psico.uniba.it
Abstract:
This study assessed the combination of two microswitches with a voice output communication aid (VOCA) with two persons (an adolescent and a young adult) with multiple disabilities. The microswitches allowed the participants to obtain direct access to preferred environmental stimuli; the VOCA enabled them to ask for caregiver's attention. Initially, the participants were taught to use each of the two microswitches individually and then together. Next, they were taught to use the VOCA and, eventually, this was available together with the microswitches. Results showed that the participants learned to operate the microswitches and the VOCA and used all three of them consistently when they were simultaneously available. Implications of these findings and the potential role of a VOCA combined with conventional microswitches were discussed.
Related Concept Videos
Learning Disabilities
Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a...
Sensory Modalities
General senses refer to the broad category of sensory information detected by receptors in the body and can be further grouped into somatic and visceral senses. Somatic sensations include touch, pressure, temperature, and pain and are essential for navigating our environment and...
Intellectual Disability
Autism Spectrum Disorder
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
Tactile and Chemical Senses
Multiple Sclerosis l: Introduction
