The Disability Trust’s Inclusive VR Sensory Space

The Disability Trust is creating a more inclusive world that appreciates and respects diversity by immersing themselves in a virtual world of tranquility and calm through the Devika Evenness Sensory Space.

The Devika Evenness Sensory Space is a virtual reality experience that’s designed to support people who have difficulty regulating sensory responses. It wraps them in breathable spaces, enabling overwhelming sights and sounds to soften and ease anxiety.

Manager of Day Options Gerald Farrugia, shares how the virtual reality sensory space is helping people to regulate anxiety and develop sensory skills.

“In the Evenness Sensory Space, we have experienced incredible outcomes with our participants who have high levels of anxiety in their day-to-day life. It provides us a variation to traditional sensory space models, and is an alternative activity or support for a variety of service groups such as our sport and social groups, and recreation services like Vacation Care.

“Having the product has given us a competitive advantage because there are participants out there that require a sensory space, and a physical sensory room’s cost to resource and maintain is just beyond the reach or scope of some providers. We are also able to use it on participants with very high levels to very low levels of support needs, mostly because of the stimuli – it is really calming, interactive and not overwhelming, so people with anxiety seem to benefit from it a great deal,” Farrugia says.

Farrugia explains the future of Evenness, virtual reality sensory spaces, and our collaboration.

“As we look to further collaborate in the academic space on the effectiveness of the VR experience to that of a physical sensory space, we’re looking forward to building an even stronger partnership and love seeing the Devika team grow.”

“From the very beginning it has been a pleasure working with Ken, Byron and the team. Their innovative approach to creating new technologies for our participants and people with a disability is exciting to see,” he says.

Become immersed in the journey to Evenness.