1. Mobility in a Virtual World: living virtually Marilyn Zamarripa

2. Background Research Project and Methodology Results Conclusions Mobility in a Virtual World

3. Mobility-Impaired often isolated from society Nature or limitation of disability Public knowledge of how to approach or interact Consequences Depression Lack of information Lack of social contact Internet and social networks have opened new possibilities What about Virtual Worlds? Increasing research on the VWs and the disabled but not specifically on the mobility-impaired Mobility in a Virtual World

4. Research Project 5/09 - 5/10 - Second Life Virtual Worlds and People with Mobility Impairment: Are there social and information benefits to participating in a Virtual World? What are the barriers? Mobility in a Virtual World

5. Mobility in a Virtual World Definition: Mobility-Impaired Impairment that affects coordination and movement or physical stamina. Includes lower body impairments that may require the use of a cane, a walker, or a wheelchair. Includes upper body impairments that may result in limited or no use of the hands.

6. Research Questions Community elements Activities and satisfaction Benefits Barriers Mobility in a Virtual World

7. Mobility in a Virtual World Research Groups in Second Life Virtual Ability – large well established community The Hope Village – small, newer community Research Methods One year participation Survey Interview Primary Criteria Mobility-Impaired

8. Demographics Mobility in a Virtual World

9. Mobility in a Virtual World Other disability conditions

10. Sense of Virtual Community Feelings about a community and the people – a feeling of belonging and shared interest Anita Blanchard Developing a Sense of Virtual Community Measure Julie Hersberger, Adam Murray and Kevin Rioux4-tier framework Examining information exchange and virtual communities: an emergent framework Mobility in a Virtual World

11. Four- Tier Framework Tier 1 Membership Influence Integration and fulfillment of needs Shared emotional connections Tier 2 Social networking Tier 3 Information exchange Tier 4 Information acquiring and sharing Mobility in a Virtual World

12. Findings What the respondents said

13. Mobility in a Virtual World

14. Activities and satisfaction Field trips New places, activities and experiences Informal get-togethers and dances Socialization and fun Meetings, lectures and classes Learning new skills and information Mentoring Helping, making someone’s day better Mobility in a Virtual World

15. Benefits of Virtual Worlds and membership in a virtual disability community Increased socialization Increased self esteem Ability to obtain information from people in similar situations Lectures Presentations Group chat Mobility in a Virtual World

16. Benefits in VW often lead to benefits in AW Feel less alone Increased confidence Rehabilitation tool Recognized by medical profession Better able to focus Improved ability to think and talk Learning new skill especially computer skills Mobility in a Virtual World

17. Barriers faced Second Life technology Steep learning curve Fine motor limitations – keyboard manipulation Moving objects Camera control Challenge and fatigue of typing Social anxiety Mobility in a Virtual World

18. Conclusions The big “so what”

19. Sense of Virtual Community (SOVC) Community elements found in Virtual Ability & The Hope Village A community does not exist just by merelythe existence of a group Social processes and behaviors must be present Chat sessions and activities Providing support for each other Information sharing Develop and maintain group norms Leadership supporting chat and activities Mobility in a Virtual World

20. While the Internet can provide the information people with a mobility impairment may need and Social networks and blogs can help them connect with people The three-dimensional environment of a Virtual World such as Second Life can do much more to enrich their lives and enhance their self esteem and mental well-being. Mobility in a Virtual World

21. Virtual Worlds such as Second Life provide the opportunity and capability to ACTUALLY DO THINGS. Walk the streets of New York and Paris Visit an Egyptian tomb Fly over a city Scuba dive in the ocean Learn to paint a picture Not exactly the same, but close enough, they have the feeling of being there. Mobility in a Virtual World

22. Virtual Worlds provide the opportunity for: Meeting and talking to people May be only form of adult conversation Socialization Life long friendships Control over their environment Learning new skills Feeling less isolated Mobility in a Virtual World

23. Mobility in a Virtual World Why was this project important? The potential to bring an entirely new world to people with mobility impairments.

24. Questions Mobility in a Virtual World: living virtually