Content Table
-
Ready2Work: A user-Informed employment website for autistic job-seekers
-
Virtual Reality facilitated Mindfulness-based practice: An innovative resource for neurodiverse communities
-
Delivery of mental health services for Ontarian youth using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in Virtual Reality
Projects
Here are some highlighted projects to which I have contributed, authored, or worked independently.
My complete up-to-date publications in APA style are located .
IT'S AN IDEA!
Learning to Foster Authentic Inclusion for Accessibility Through VR Simulations
Niagara College, Brock University and XpertVR
Note.
Left figure: a preview of the training instructional presentation slides I developed for our Virtual Reality users
Right figure: a preview of the Facilitator's Guide for Virtual Reality Simulation, written by Dr. Connolly and me.
Introduction/Background
The research project focuses on developing inclusive content for post-secondary institutions to integrate accessibility into study programs and training. The project deepens understanding of concepts such as authentic inclusion, equity, Universal Design, accessible education standards, and AODA requirements.
Final Products
The resources created are available through eCampus Ontario, and the project involves collaborative efforts, and as such, I will provide the original links to the project below:
Project Website (including all created resources of the project):
eCampus Ontario (The Unity file is accessible here and will be available for public use in post-secondary educational institutions and beyond via eCampus Ontario):
My Role in the Research Team
As part of the project, I played a key role in
-
writing and developing scenarios for VR simulations;
-
ensuring the authentic inclusion of people who experience disability;
-
collecting and analyzing data from pilot phases (prototypes); and
-
drafting reports for the funder
Ready2Work: A user-Informed employment website for autistic job-seekers
Brock University, Knick Labs, ISAND, McMaster University, YorkASD Partnership
Note.
Left figure: a preview of the previous version of the Ready2Work platform is displayed below as a demonstration, and a link will be updated once the process is completed.
Right figure: a QR code for the PDF version of the project poster for the INSAR conference 2023, which I developed and analyzed under the principal investigator Dr. Burnham Riosa's guidance.
Introduction/Background
This research project focuses on integrated knowledge translation and has a dual purpose. Phase 1 aims to understand the essential factors identified by autistic job seekers, caregivers, and employment professionals for successful entry into the workforce. Building upon these insights, Phases 2 and 3 involve the development and pilot testing of an online employment platform.
The project aims to bridge the gap between research and practice, empowering autistic job-seekers in their journey toward meaningful employment.
Final Product
Ready2Work online employment platform. It is currently in the process of transitioning to Autism Ontario. A link will be updated once the process is completed.
Dissemination (Final Product in Academic Field)
2021 RSIG Research Day Poster Presentation
https://oaddrsig2021.vercel.app/
2023 International Society for Autism Research (INSAR) in-person Poster Presentation in Stockholm, Sweden
My Role in the Research Team
As part of the project, I played a key role in
-
writing and developing the resource for the platform;
-
assisting survey developments;
-
testing surveys and the platform
-
ensuring the authentic inclusion of autistic job seekers in all the processes of the product (our platform);
-
collecting and analyzing data from prototypes using SPSS and thematic analysis with our users (job-seekers); and
-
developing academic posters for conferences
Transitioning Together Project
Brock University, YorkASD Partnership, Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Note.
Left figure: a preview of the psychoeducational program Transitioning Together
Right figure: a preview of the research process (partial) in the method part (for the protection of the intellectual property of our research team)
Introduction/Background
The purpose of my authored research part was to
-
examine the effectiveness of Transitioning Together in improving various parent, youth, and parent-child relational outcomes among families living in Ontario (program evaluation)
-
for developing a better context and culture-adapted program
Final Product
A final report to the funder based on our research and data analysis to identify the program's direction, adaptability, and sustainability for Ontarians.
Dissemination (Final Product in Academic Field)
2022 International Society for Autism Research (INSAR), Virtual Poster Presentation
Titled "Transitioning Together: Evaluation of a Multi-Family Group Psychoeducation Program for Parents and Youth with Autism"
2022 HWDDC (Canadian Health and Wellbeing in Developmental Disabilities Conference), Virtual Poster Presentation
Titled "Transitioning Together: Evaluation of a Multi-Family Group Psychoeducation Program for Parents and Youth with Autism"
My Role in the Research Team
As part of the project, I played a key role in
-
Developing surveys (user engagement and satisfaction surveys);
-
testing and disturbing surveys to users with high responses;
-
ensuring the authentic inclusion of users in all the research processes;
-
collecting and analyzing data from surveys using SPSS and Tableau with our users; and
-
developing academic posters for conferences
-
presenting for HWDD Conference
Academic Laboratory Website
Dr. Burnham Riosa Lab, Brock University
Note.
A partial preview of my flow diagram of the website design.
Introduction/Background
I initiated and developed an academic research laboratory website, increasing online presence and knowledge translation
Final Product
Note for the Figures
A partial preview of my flow diagram of the website design.