A Study on the Development of VR Education Contents for the Mentally impaired

Roles

UX Researcher at HGU
Worked with Handong Design Lab, Si-sun Club, Hisbeans (Coffee Company), and now tectonspace (VR Experts)

Goals

Understanding the mentally impaired’s needs and difficulties to learn coffee making and service strategies
Developing of VR education contents for the mentally impaired

Details

Funded by Korea Telecom (KT) ; the largest South Korean telecommunications company
Conducted an Interviews with mentally handicapped people and managers
Established VR education content scenarios considering the characteristics of the mentally impaired
Established design guidelines of VR interface and interaction design for the mentally impaired
(Now it is used in Korea and Philippines)

Background and Purpose

The baristas working at Hisbeans are people who have mental disabilities, experiencing anxiety disorders and depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia, and other symptoms.

According to Korea Employment Agency for the Disabled, in 2020, the actual hiring rate for employees in service sectors such as restaurants and cafes are very limited – with only 33 percent applicants hired. But Hisbeans has consistently been trying to cut down the numbers, maintaining 90 percent of its baristas and cashiers with people having mental disabilities.

Therefore, out team including Handong Design Lab, Si-sun Club, Hisbeans, and now tectonspace thought of a way to educate from scratch, the baristas who have disabilities. The cafe has successfully launched a barista education VR program. Since then, it has been educating the basics of brewing and serving coffee to the new baristas in their own time in a comfortable space.