The client: Australian Government, Department of Social Services

Consortium partner: Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO)

Funding: The Information, Linkages, and Capacity Building (ILC) program; Individual Capacity Building grants

Problem/Gap

The increasing dependence on online engagement, including the digitisation of many government services, has contributed to a widening digital divide. Individuals with disabilities, especially those in rural and remote areas, are encountering increased disadvantages due to limited digital skills and knowledge. Additionally, many people with disabilities (PwD) are not familiar with the most current work-related rights and legal processes. Peer role modelling and social stories are pivotal in building capacity of PwD. This project targets the following specific gaps: (1) Social Stories: AR social stories, despite their educational potential, remain underutilised globally. Australia is a multicultural society yet social stories are primarily available in English, limiting accessibility for CALD groups. There's an absence of social stories for Australians with intellectual and learning disabilities that build skills for engaging with government services, work-related rights and legal processes. (2) Peer Role Modelling: Building skills of PwD could be greatly enhanced by peer role model stories presented through immersive technologies like AR - if you can’t see it you can’t be it.

Goals

- Collaboratively identify target behaviours and situations for augmented reality social stories

- Co-design and develop 16 AR social stories and 10 AR peer success stories to enhance individual capacities among people with disabilities

- Co-design and implement a marketing strategy to raise awareness of the project and maximise its usage and impact

- Co-evaluate the results and impact of the project using quantitative and qualitative data

Solution

The project will co-design and co-develop 16 AR social stories in 4 community languages. Tailored for individuals with intellectual and learning disabilities and those from CALD backgrounds the stories will cover disability rights, self-advocacy, work-related rights and government services. Ten augmented reality peer success stories will also be developed, focusing on real-life success stories modelling independence and skill development in individuals with diverse disabilities. Using 3D animation, audio and text the project will work with PwD to create engaging interactive stories. An AR app will give access to both social stories and peer role modelling stories. Resources will be also available on AFDO's website with downloadable/printable one-page stories; each page helping the audience use the AR app to animate stories directly on the page using smart phones or tablets. A comprehensive marketing strategy across the disability sector and mainstream media as well as social media, direct email, webinars and conference presentations will be implemented to create awareness of the project and its applications. Online webinars and in-person workshops will be organised for the target audience to meet the peer role models and pose their questions. An augmented reality-enhanced brochure will also be published and distributed to AFDO's 38 member organisations, National Disability Services (NDS), and other entities that can assist us in reaching a broader audience of people with disabilities and expanding the project's reach and impact. The anticipated outcomes encompass an improved understanding of current government services, work-related rights, and typical legal processes, along with increased confidence in interacting with individuals and procedures within those domains.

Outcome

Results will be provided upon project completion.