By Brian Landrigan, Manager, Media and Immersive Technologies, PVC Education & Student Experience
Published 18 July 2023
Imagine stepping into the shoes of someone with a disability and experiencing life from their perspective. With the immersive power of 360° video, we invite the users to embark on a virtual reality (VR) tour that depicts the daily interactions of Amy, a person living with a disability.
Through the lens of "Riding with Amy," we accompany Amy throughout her day at a café. The scenes illustrate how others perceive her and her unique experiences as she tackles everyday tasks like finding a place to sit or placing an order. The interactive 360 VR video allows users to engage with hotspots, providing deeper insights into each scene and seamlessly transitioning to the next. The important aim is to learn how to (and how not to) interact with people like Amy.
“Riding with Amy” is a collaboration between PVCESE’s Media and Immersive Technologies Team and UNSW Business School’s Dr. Veronica Jiang, EF Senior Lecturer and Academic Disability Advisor, and Xinyue Zhang, PhD student. It’s a multi-faceted project that merges VR headsets, interactive elements, and film to challenge perceptions, build bridges of empathy, and celebrate the power of inclusion.
Watch the video below or via YouTube.
So far, over 170 Marketing class students from the Business School have had a glimpse into Amy’s life. "Riding with Amy" is also being showcased during Disability Pride Month this July, amplifying its impact, and sparking meaningful discussions about empathy and inclusion. As part of Dr. Jiang and Ms. Zhang’s research study, data is being collected to gauge how people respond to different formats and the level of connection they feel with Amy's experience when engaging with the resource.
The blog was edited by Apple Davalos for clarity and length.