Head-Mounted VR Could Help Autistic People Learn Social Skills, Develop Employment Opportunities From: Medical Design Technology - 11/16/2015 Virtual reality technologies (VRTs) using head-mounted displays (HMDs) could help people with autism develop social skills and confidence according to a researcher from the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol). Dr. Nigel Newbutt, Associate Head of Media and Digital Cultures at UWE Bristol has investigated how virtual world platforms such as Second Life can help people with autism navigate social situations such as visiting a coffee shop, going to the cinema or even attending a job interview. A current project he is involved with, funded by the Department for Work and Pensions, is examining how the role of innovative technologies can have a positive impact on the employment prospects of people with autism and other disabilities. Read the entire article at: http://www.mdtmag.com/news/2015/11/head-mounted-vr-could-help-autistic-people-learn-social-skills-develop-employment-opportunities Links: Media and Digital Cultures http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/cahe/research/dcrc.aspx Nigel Newbutt http://people.uwe.ac.uk/Pages/person.aspx?accountname=campus%5Cn-newbutt