FUN LEARNING: Kingaroy Endeavour clients Matthew Boland, Rebecca Jansen and Elaine Hopper learn from each other as they try out the new virtual reality programs.
FUN LEARNING: Kingaroy Endeavour clients Matthew Boland, Rebecca Jansen and Elaine Hopper learn from each other as they try out the new virtual reality programs. Jessica McGrath

Learning a new world through VR

ENDEAVOUR client Matthew Boland does not even realise how much he is learning as he encourages his fellow members to make a coffee during the virtual reality game.

Kingaroy Endeavour manager Paul Lowe said the VR set launched at the centre on Monday, June 25, was ahead of its time for the region and for disability support organisations.

"It's just opening up a whole new world of learning for people with disabilities,” he said.

Kingaroy is the 13th site to go live and within the next year, 36 Endeavour centres around Australia will be utilising the technology.

"For these guys it's a fun way of learning, they don't even realise they are learning something, but they are building up skills,” Mr Lowe said.

They were learning fine motor skills while helping each other solve their problems in the VR program which has varied learning modules, he said.

The clients learn how to make coffees and deal with money in the simulated cafe, and once they are comfortable in the virtual environment Mr Lowe has planned a visit to the Endeavour cafe with a real barista machine.

The 10-week program, written by teachers, also builds up skills such as learning how to navigate public transport and crowds, or learning warehouse safety.

"The whole thing is all set up to form part of a bigger picture,” Mr Lowe said.

Virtual reality will change the way Kingaroy Endeavour manager Paul Lowe helps his clients Rebecca Jansen, Matthew Boland, Christina Huskisson and Elaine Hopper.
Virtual reality will change the way Kingaroy Endeavour manager Paul Lowe helps his clients Rebecca Jansen, Matthew Boland, Christina Huskisson and Elaine Hopper. Jessica McGrath

People with disabilities can easily be frightened in new situations so this provides a safe environment to learn and make as many mistakes as they need, he said.

The wide range of modules are designed to give the Endeavour clients not only the skills to pursue a job, but also the confidence to get to work, Mr Lowe said.

Endeavour Kingaroy also launched the connect app which allows the clients' families to stay connected with the Endeavour programs.

The closed network has a live calender, site-specific newsletter and daily photos and notes to allow the families to know what programs were run at Endeavour that day, he said.

"Instead of our staff spending time writing out notes, they can spend 30 seconds uploading a picture, so they can spend more time with the customers they are caring for,” Mr Lowe said.

Family members, including those who live around the world, can see what their loved ones were doing at Endeavour on a daily basis and have conversations about those activities, he said.

Endeavour has also received a 3D printer and robotics set to further enhance their clients' learning.

"Certainly out here in the Burnett, to have this much money invested in people's disabilities is great,” Mr Lowe said.

South Burnett

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