Virtual learning for life skills

Technology for learning life skills

Floreo is a virtual reality (VR) platform that teaches important social, behavioral, communication and life skills.

Initial Floreo modules help users develop eye contact skills, while later modules teach how to safely cross the street, use descriptive language, and interact with peers or community members like police officers. Floreo also includes sensory modules like “Find the Fish” and “Play the Marimba” to help with selfregulation and calming techniques. This technology is suitable for people of all language levels and is customizable to each learner.

The Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities (Cuyahoga DD), a Floreo featured partner, has created its own VR modules like “How to Use the RTA.” These modules are specific to Cuyahoga County public transportation. Learners can practice the many aspects of riding the RTA,

The virtual reality platform helps Cuyahoga Developmental Disabilities intervention specialists staff during sessions with school-age youth.

including: how to identify their bus, pay the fare, request a stop, and exit the bus.

A step beyond role play, Floreo lessons offer immersive experiences in simulated real-world settings. Floreo works through a VR headset worn by the learner while a Cuyahoga DD professional monitors the session through a tablet and acts as a coach to help reinforce the lessons.

Behavior curriculum intervention specialists at the Cuyahoga DD are incorporating cutting-edge technology for their sessions with school-age youth.

“The Floreo team has been deeply responsive to our needs — their founder, Vijay Ravindran, once left his own board meeting to hop on a Zoom with Cuyahoga DD — and is working to incorporate our suggestions for new modules and avatars with personalized appearances,” says Lori Mago, division manager, assistive technology and children’s services.

Cuyahoga DD has purchased 10 Floreo headsets.

“Eight are currently in use and the other two may be added to the Lending Library so families can be trained for home use,” says Kelly Rainey, special instruction manager.