Problems with control devices experienced by people with intellectual disabilities using virtual environments: a systematic evaluation

Virtual environments have a role to play in facilitating the acquisition of living skills in people with intellectual disabilities, improving their cognitive skills and providing them with entertainment. However, the currently recommended devices to allow navigation in and interaction with the environments are difficult to use. Using a methodology established in an earlier study, the study aims to systematically document the performance of users with the currently recommended devices in order to i) inform the design of a usable control device or devices and ii) act as a baseline against which they can be evaluated. 40 people with severe intellectual disabilities aged between 21 and 67 years used four environments with an equal number of sessions with the different devices being evaluated. Results suggest that for navigation, the joystick is better than the keyboard but that for interaction the mouse is better than using the fire button on the joystick. Preventing slippage of the joystick base would make its use much easier and it is suggested that separate devices are retained for navigation and interaction.