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Social Inclusion of People with Autism Spectrum Disorder Through Virtual Reality” is a project that deals with the social inclusion and employment of people with ASD. 

People with ASD experience persistent difficulties with social communication and social interaction. The lack of social skills makes it difficult for them to navigate standard everyday situations as well as seeking and securing employment. Consequently, they often experience social exclusion. 

This project will develop VR tools that through simulated everyday situations will train and enhance the social skills of adults with ASD and improve their ability to navigate standard situations. The innovation in this project is that the VR toolkit will be developed by people with ASD, meaning the tools will be created by those who will also use them for training purposes.  The project will also develop a Handbook to help potential employers understand the needs of young people with ASD. 

The project aims to showcase good practices in this field:  A multi-skilled partnership composed of organisations active in the field of digital-based technologies, social, labour market integration, and special educational needs, will develop a VRtraining toolkit for people with ASD with the purpose of rehabilitation and training in communication and social skills. Furthermore, potential employers will be informed about the advantages of hiring a person with ASD.

To reach this final goal partners will:- Develop a needs analysis and VR environment design based on interviews with people with ASD, relatives and professionals working with people with ASD. In essence, the project will:

• Develop and implement the VR toolkit
• Train key players  in helping people with ASD on how to use the VR tools.
• Develop a Manual for employment of people with ASD and include good practices
• Arrange local multiplier events to disseminate information about the project and it’s outputs. These activities will increase the target group’s ability to navigate standard everyday situations as well as work-related situations. In this way, the project aims to foster social integration and employment opportunities of the target group through VR technology