The Application of Virtual Reality to Enhance the Learning Experience of Children with Disabilities

Early education for children is critical in the development of life skills, moral and ethical perceptions, and increased knowledge. This is influenced by learning what is taught to them. Essential skills such as walking, hearing, speech and cognitive processes are skills that children with disabilities find extremely difficult without aids. Virtual environments have provided these children with the ability to learn and develop these skills without their disabilities limiting them. It enables the children to practise and rehearse to ensure that they can keep up and in some cases, overtake the learning of children without disabilities. Virtual environments are a safe and secure way for children to learn these new skills. There are many arguments that suggest virtual reality technologies are not ethical and pose weaknesses and threats upon the children; however the strengths and opportunities outweigh these concerns. Without virtual environments, children with disabilities would be at a disadvantage.