Virtual Reality Sailing Simulation: Perspectives from Individuals with Physical Disabilities

Sailing is shown to have a positive outcome on an individual's quality of life including physically, socially, mentally and/or emotionally. Virtual reality sailing simulators (VRSS) are shown to have better outcomes of the transition from sailing on land to sailing on water (Recio, et al., 2013). Virtual reality to reality sailing can be particularly beneficial for people with physical disabilities (Autry & Anderson, 2021). However, research is lacking on the therapeutic use of sailing, more specifically from the participants’ point of view. Therefore, a research question that guided this study included: What perceptions will participants with physical disabilities have after completing an adapted virtual reality sailing simulation (VRSS) program and its contribution to their quality of life? Seven adult individuals who had spinal cord injuries, spina bifida or cerebral palsy were recruited from a local non-profit agency that focuses on active participation with those with physical disabilities. Each completed the 11 sessions in a VRSS program. Participants were then interviewed to collect qualitative data of their experience. The qualitative data were analyzed using Tesch’s 8 step coding process as proposed by Creswell and Creswell (2018). Three themes were found in this study including learning, enjoyment and using the simulation as rehabilitation. Learning often presented some joy and distraction to participants’ lives as well as enhancing their knowledge. The simulation also provided rehabilitation for some participants in terms of physical benefits. A discussion of this study will focus on how virtual reality can be vital to provide more leisure opportunities to individuals with physical disabilities