The Department of Labor’s Employment First initiative establishes that competitive employment should be the preferred outcome for individuals with disabilities. Yet students with disabilities often face barriers to exploring careers and gaining the work-based learning experiences critical for developing job skills and workplace behaviors.
Virtual reality career exploration helps to address traditional obstacles like transportation and safety concerns, allowing students to experience authentic workplace environments in safe, controlled settings. Across the country, organizations serving learners with disabilities are discovering that VR simulations provide engaging ways to explore careers while building confidence and transferable skills.
Psst… This article is part of our Future Ready series to support educators in the 2025 school year. Follow along through September for tips and resources to have a successful year with Transfr.
Easterseals Alabama’s Statewide Impact
Easterseals Alabama has implemented VR career exploration from Transfr across seven regional offices throughout the state, serving both middle and high school students with IEPs and adults with disabilities. Their comprehensive approach creates clear pathways from education to employment preparation.
“Our goal is to help those with disabilities get into the workforce or to help prepare them through high school,” says Michael B. Woolley, Executive Director of Easterseals for the Birmingham area. “Can they go to trade school? Can they go to college? What things do they like or dislike?”
The results speak for themselves. In an efficacy study involving 40 high school students with IEPs, 90% reported confidence in learning the topics introduced through VR simulations, while 85% found the VR headset easy to use. Perhaps most notably, staff observed behavioral improvements when VR sessions were available as part of the program.
MOZAIC’s Community-Centered Approach
MOZAIC serves people with intellectual and other disabilities throughout New York’s Finger Lakes region, integrating VR career exploration from Transfr into their community pre-vocational and day habilitation programs. Their approach focuses on creating supportive learning environments where participants can explore careers safely and build confidence.
Certain simulations have proven especially engaging for MOZAIC participants, including warehouse operations, fire safety procedures, hospitality roles, and robotics safety modules. The organization has created a supportive learning environment where screen-casting allows others to see simulations in action, with staff and clients providing positive feedback as participants complete experiences.
“VR lets people see exactly how jobs are done — and they’re given step-by-step instructions. It’s a lot more interesting being able to help do the job than just watching,” explains Jessica Kennedy, Site Supervisor at MOZAIC.
Staff report that clients are excited to use VR technology, finding it far more engaging than traditional career exploration methods. The detailed instructions and feedback from virtual coaches create positive learning experiences that build both skills and confidence.
Interested in learning more about Transfr and Mozaic? Read the full Mozaic Customer Story
Accessibility Features That Make VR Career Exploration Possible for Students with Disabilities
Transfr’s career simulations in Transfr Trek include built-in accessibility features that enable and empower students with various disabilities to participate fully in career exploration experiences.
Physical Accessibility:
- All simulations can be completed in a seated, rotating chair
- Many simulations can be completed while seated without requiring turning or movement
- 30+ simulations can be performed using only one controller
- No specialized adaptive equipment required
Learning Accessibility:
- Patient, virtual coach provides step-by-step guidance at each stage
- Learners can repeat experiences at their own pace without time pressure
- Virtual coach offers personalized attention and immediate feedback without judgment
- Clear instructions break complex tasks into manageable steps
Communication Accessibility:
- Closed captioning is available throughout all simulations
- Spanish language support for bilingual learners
- Visual and audio cues provide multiple ways to access information
These features work together to create inclusive learning environments where students can explore careers based on their interests and abilities rather than traditional barriers.
Our Resources and Next Steps
Ready to explore how VR career exploration might benefit your students? Reach out to Transfr to learn more about our VR programs, accessibility features, and curriculum support resources available for your classroom.
Important Note: Transfr’s experiences complement existing individualized education plans (IEPs) and 504 accommodations. They do not replace individualized assessment or specialized instruction.
Transfr is committed to providing an accessible and inclusive user experience for all individuals, regardless of their abilities.
Learn more about our accessibility commitment. If you encounter an accessibility issue or you would like more information about the accessibility of our products, please email to accessibility@transfrvr.com, so we can help you as quickly as possible.
FAQs
What career exploration options are available for students with disabilities?
Students with disabilities can explore careers through a variety of options, including Virtual Reality (VR) and assistive technology platforms that simulate real workplace environments safely and accessibly. VR career exploration programs allow students to experience different job roles virtually, from industries including hospitality to manufacturing, while accommodations are built directly into the digital environment. These tech-enabled approaches provide personalized career exploration experiences that adapt to each student’s specific needs and abilities.
Does Transfr offer accessible technology that helps to train users with disabilities?
Yes! Transfr’s VR simulations within the Transfr Trek platform include built-in accessibility features that enable and empower students with various abilities to participate fully in career exploration experiences.
