Rossiya Segodnya International Information Agency on Thursday launched it first virtual reality (VR) project on life experiences of people on the autism spectrum, Mechanisms of Autism, developed with the support of Naked Heart Foundation and Vykhod (Solution) Foundation.
MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 08th November, 2018) Rossiya Segodnya International Information Agency on Thursday launched it first virtual reality (VR) project on life experiences of people on the autism spectrum, Mechanisms of Autism, developed with the support of Naked Heart Foundation and Vykhod (Solution) Foundation.
The app allows users to experience a number of situations the way a person on the autism spectrum would. Some simulations include traumatic situations, but each crisis is followed by a situation that allows the user to calm the anxiety. Users can interact with the objects and other characters within the storyline.
A user needs only an app and inexpensive special glasses to experience the project.
"This is very important that the first VR project launched by Rossiya Segodnya International Information Agency is about the inner workings of the mind of a person on the autism spectrum. Having tried on the glasses, users will see the world through the eyes of the person on the spectrum, try to realize how they feel and experience empathy. I hope that projects similar to this one will help us change the attitude of the society to the people with developmental disabilities and become a real contribution to the work being done by Naked Heart Foundation," the charity's founder Natalia Vodianova said.
Avdotya Smirnova, the founder of Vykhod charity, stressed that it was important for the foundation to help the information agency with its work on the project.
"Autism is a difficult theme that requires the society to have empathy, an ability to put oneself in another person's shoes, and being widely informed, so VR and its possibilities fit this case perfectly," Smirnova said.
Natalia Loseva, the deputy editor-in-chief of the information agency, said that the new format was a way to communicate with younger users, those growing up with VR.
"We want to come to these people with journalistic content in the format that is convenient for them, that they are used to," Loseva said.
Rossiya Segodnya is planning to launch four or five VR projects and 8-12 augmented reality projects per year.
Naked Heart Foundation is helping children with special needs. Vykhod charity specializes in helping people on the autism spectrum and educating about autism in Russia.
