XR for aging adults with intellectual disabilities: exploratory case study

The life expectancy of individuals with intellectual disabilities has increased in recent decades, bringing new and unanticipated challenges. Extended Reality (XR) technology holds significant potential to help address some of these new challenges; however, it is crucial to incorporate their voices during the development of the technology to ensure equitable access and acceptance. By incorporating XR technology into the scheduled activities of a day center for aging adults with intellectual disabilities, this case study illustrates how enabling participants to shape activities according to their interests, using immersive technologies to evoke first-hand experiences, and fostering connections with researchers over an academic year may contribute positively to their quality of life. The case study builds on activities identified as meaningful and beneficial, such as music concerts, guided tours of participants’ hometowns, and encounters with former educators, and translates them into XR formats. The technology is introduced through three phases: 180-degree recordings, 360-degree recordings, and real-time 360-degree videocalls. This paper examines the benefits and limitations of XR for aging people with intellectual disabilities, offering insights into creating user-centered research in real-world settings.