This post was originally published on this site.
A student in the LAUNCH at USF program works at the Tampa Bay Community Network while
exploring his passion for videography and video editing.
USF Department of Child and Family Studies (CFS) researchers Tammy Jorgensen Smith, PhD, CRC, and Christine Hugh, MS, have been awarded $9.9 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Education
for their innovative project called Delivering Innovative Vocational Education through
Virtual Reality Technology (DIVE). The project aims to improve employment services
for individuals with disabilities through virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence
(AI), address the critical shortage of skilled labor, and promote inclusivity in the
workplace.
“This innovative approach will equip skilled trades workers with disabilities with
the knowledge and skills they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving labor market,”
said Hugh, who serves as co-principal investigator of the project and program director
of LAUNCH at USF.
The project will integrate VR and AI technologies into LAUNCH’s employment and transition
programs that serve youth and adults with lifelong and acquired disabilities.
“VR technology has been shown to be highly effective in teaching career skills through
immersive experiences,” said Smith. “AI will be utilized to provide real-time feedback
to common questions through the project website that will be developed for training
and replication purposes and for posting project outcomes.”
Smith, the project’s principal investigator and a faculty member in the Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling Program, is leading the initiative alongside Hugh and a team of experts from USF Innovative Education, USF Research Technology, LAUNCH Employment and Transition Services, Virtual Reality Galaxy Learning Institute, and the Institute for Community Inclusion
at UMass.
The team has also established partnerships with Florida Vocational Rehabilitation,
Hillsborough County Schools, and other stakeholders to ensure the success and sustainability
of the project.
A website will be developed and offer a replication guide and tiered technical assistance,
including AI support and direct help from the Florida Center for Inclusive Communities, a University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research,
and Service.
“We are honored, and this prestigious recognition validates our commitment to revolutionizing
employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities,” said Hugh.
The five-year grant is set to begin on Oct. 1, 2024.