Exploring the Needs and Preferences of Autistic Users in Extended Reality: A Participatory and Human-Centered Approach

Abstract

Virtual reality (VR) has been widely applied as a promising technology for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, most studies in the literature have been conducted by researchers who are not disabled or autistic, resulting in products that are less user-centered. To address this issue, Project PHoENIX is initiated to gather information from stakeholders, including autistic people, caregivers, and parents, about their needs and preferences when using VR. Throughout the development cycle, a variety of user-centered learning experience design methods and process were employed. To assess the usability and user experience of Project PHoENIX, a formative evaluation with multiple usability sessions was conducted across two phases: Phase I Usability Testing and Phase II Pilot Testing. In this paper, we present the co-design process of Project PHoENIX with autistic stakeholders, followed by the results of a formative evaluation on the VR environments in Project PHoENIX. Multiple usability evaluation methods were utilized in both phases. The quantitative and qualitative findings suggest that utilizing co-design and user experience design methods, Project PHoENIX was designed using an innovative approach and is perceived as a highly usable, relevant, and satisfying VR technology, with the potential to
scale to serve a broader community of individuals with autism.