Heritage Finance Holdings partners with Endeavour Foundation on virtual reality training

20 March 2018

Endeavour Foundation has extended its successful Virtual Reality Learning program to help people with a disability learn to use Automatic Teller Machines, thanks to the generosity of Heritage Finance Holdings Corporation in Toowoomba.

Heritage Finance Holdings contacted Endeavour Foundation last year to make a $5,000 donation, which was immediately put to use developing a new ATM virtual learning platform. Service Design Partner Chris Beaumont said virtual learning enabled people with a disability to try new experiences and practice new skills in an immersive 3D learning environment.

“Virtual learning utilises gamification and the latest tech to engage young people, ensuring they are well prepared when they step outside to try things for the first time,” Chris said.

Heritage Finance Holdings CEO Peter Lock said, “Heritage Finance Holdings is delighted to partner with the Endeavour Foundation in this very worthwhile project. As a community-minded organisation, we’re always looking for ways to help improve the lives of everyone in the communities where we operate.

“This initiative is a fantastic way to help people with an intellectual disability become more financially independent and aware,” Mr Lock said.

Service Delivery Learning Leader Stewart Koplick explained that virtual learning platforms are “particularly useful for people with sensory disabilities and autism, because virtual reality allows people to process new information and develop new skills within a safe environment.”

“This builds the confidence for people to then go and try out their new skills, setting up greater success and independence in the long term,” Mr Koplick said.

Virtual Reality Developers Immerse Enterprise have worked closely with Endeavour Foundation to develop virtual learning experiences for people with an intellectual disability in  a range of practical areas such as Pedestrian Safety, train and bus safety, catching a bus, ordering food and drink, social etiquette, and money handling.

Immerse’s Lead Experience Developer Lex Van Cooten said the new wave of technology gave people experiences which will empower them in the real world through the use of immersive training experiences. “We are very proud of the virtual learning experiences we have developed for Endeavour and are excited to be involved in these ground-breaking applications,” Lex said.