On Monday, December 15, Željko Habek and Edita Margeta from the Green ASC VET – Metautism project visited the Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation Sciences and the Autism Association in Zagreb, where they showcased extended reality (XR) solutions designed to support autistic people in education and employment.
At an Associate Professor Jasmina Stošić’s class at Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation Sciences, Željko Habek presented the Metautism project and introduced a practical guide for using XR (extended reality) technologies when working with autistic pupils and adults. Around 50 students attended the session, and many of them tried a virtual reality (VR) headset for the first time.
Through direct experience, students explored how XR can remove barriers and give autistic people greater autonomy over their choices, preferences, and everyday lives. They identified strong potential for using XR technologies in hospitals, schools, higher education institutions, public spaces, and other environments.
Habek and Margeta guided students through VR solutions developed within the Green ASC VET – Metautism project. The experience included immersive 360° videos that present 16 professions in real work environments, as well as job interview simulations. Students also walked a virtual plank and tried welding in VR, gaining first-hand insight into the power of immersive learning.
Later that day, eight autistic individuals tested the same XR solutions at the Autism Association in Zagreb. With support from their parents, they shared feedback on the experience. The team will use this feedback to further develop and improve the XR tools to better meet the needs of autistic users.
The visit strengthened collaboration between educators, future professionals, and the autistic community, and highlighted how XR technology can support inclusion, vocational training, and independence.
