Background: Though around 4% of the world population is diagnosed with ADHD, many environments are not designed to accommodate individuals living with ADHD. Chief among these environments are adult workspaces. Environments like corporate offices are not set up to promote productivity from workers with ADHD and are more geared towards neurotypical individuals.

This VR experience gives corporate workers a chance to step into the shoes of a corporate worker with ADHD by simulating the difficulties individuals with ADHD experience, specifically surrounding attention and memory. Our hope is that, through VR, we can bring the issues of accessibility and accommodation in the corporate world to light and propose long-term solutions to these problems.

Research: This project utilizes VR technology, putting users into virtual scenarios in which their attention and memory is challenged. Simulating offices and other work environments, the experience reflects challenges that individuals with ADHD face in the corporate world. The simulation is eye-opening to those with ADHD and without, as well as workers on all levels of the corporate ladder. 

This project also uses a branching narrative structure, where the user’s choices affect the outcome of scenes, in order to encourage replayability as well as unique experiences from user to user. By offering unique experiences to users, each user can walk away from the experience with a memory tied to personal choices, which strengthened the impact of the experience. Users will play through scenarios set in office cubicles, home offices, break rooms, and meetings, offering a wide range of examples of how ADHD affects the lives of people living with it.

Funding: 

Ohio State University | College of Arts & Sciences, Accelerator and Amplifier Grant, Fall 2024

Ohio State University | College of Arts & Sciences Inspire Innovation Grant, PI, “Inspiring Empathy and Inclusive Change for Neuro-diverse Individuals in Educational and Workplace Settings Through Immersive Technology,” Fall 2024

Project Team:

Shadrick Kuteh: Project Co-PI

Simone Drake: Project Co-PI

Trey Palmore: Writer, Voice Actor

Lauren Gessel: 3D Artist, Voice Actor

Yeoleum Choi: 3D Artist, Graphic Designer

Nathan Garthwaite: Developer, Voice Actor

Sebastian King: Developer

Skye Winters: Developer

Roshan Ramamurthy: Developer