Publications

In this article, assistive technologies are examined with regard to different contexts and target groups to determine the extent to which they promote concentration and at the same time enable social interaction in a context-sensitive manner. The investigations focus on the needs of autistic people in vocational training centers, for whom a low-noise environment at the workplace is often a prerequisite for concentrated work. The work shows the results of observations in a vocational training center, analyzes contextual factors and presents a concept for an adaptive support system specifically designed to meet the needs of autistic people in office environments.

The application of modern technologies to improve educational environments is required due to a lack of workers, a decline in engineering student enrollment, and insufficient support for students who are neurodivergent. To support high education and career training for neurodiverse learners, this paper investigates the incorporation of real device operating concepts into virtual reality. Various VR implementations of common operating components were compared for immersion and usability. Functional virtual devices with operating components were integrated into a VR education platform and evaluated with both neurotypical and people with ASD. The study results demonstrate high usability for neurotypical users while emphasizing the need for improved graphical quality, user comfort, and the integration of features and techniques that enhance user movements and provide adaptable interfaces for neurodivergent users.