VIRTUS Project

VIRTUS: an innovative approach to vocational education and training for autistic individuals

Autistic individuals face numerous obstacles when trying to navigate a world designed for neurotypical people. Because of the challenges autistic people are confronted with in communication and social interaction, they can often be misunderstood, and unfairly percieved, as unsuitable for employment, which can lead to them being excluded and marginalised from society.

To tackle these inequalities head-on, it is important to provide autistic individuals with high-quality vocational education programmes that are specifically tailored to them. Programmes that address social, pre-vocational and vocational skills are particularly in need as such training can prepare them for the transition to the labour market. This is where the VIRTUS project comes in.

Project’s goals

1. Raise awareness to relevant stakeholders such as employers, parents and caregivers of autistic individuals, VET organisations and organisations active in the field of autism.
2. Enhance the vocational skills of autistic individuals to raise possibilities to secure and maintain meaningful employment and increase their sense of wellbeing.
3. Make the training programs more attractive and interesting for autistic individuals by combining innovative VR technology with in-vivo seminars.
4. Provide high-quality vocational education and training in a range of professions in which autistics could thrive and certify the acquired skills according to EU standards.

The VIRTUS project partners have developed an Education and Training Programme which was accompanied by virtual reality scenarios. This helps autistic individuals to be able to practice and develop their professional skills in a safe and controlled environment.

More about VIRTUS project.