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Content Table

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  1. IT'S AN IDEA!
    Learning to Foster Authentic Inclusion for Accessibility Through Virtual Reality Simulations

  2. Ready2Work: A user-Informed employment website for autistic job-seekers

  3. Transitioning Together: Evaluation of a multi-family group psychoeducation program for parents and youth with autism

  4. Academic Research Laboratory Website

  5. Virtual Reality facilitated Mindfulness-based practice: An innovative resource for neurodiverse communities

  6. Delivery of mental health services for Ontarian youth using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in Virtual Reality

Projects

Here are some highlighted projects to which I have contributed, authored, or worked independently.

My complete up-to-date publications in APA style are located         .

IT'S AN IDEA!
Learning to Foster Authentic Inclusion for Accessibility Through VR Simulations

Niagara College, Brock University and XpertVR

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Note.

Left figure: a preview of the training instructional presentation slides I developed for our Virtual Reality users

Right figure: a preview of the Facilitator's Guide for Virtual Reality Simulation, written by Dr. Connolly and me.

Introduction/Background​

The research project focuses on developing inclusive content for post-secondary institutions to integrate accessibility into study programs and training. The project deepens understanding of concepts such as authentic inclusion, equity, Universal Design, accessible education standards, and AODA requirements.

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Final Products

The resources created are available through eCampus Ontario, and the project involves collaborative efforts, and as such, I will provide the original links to the project below:

Project Website (including all created resources of the project):

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eCampus Ontario (The Unity file is accessible here and will be available for public use in post-secondary educational institutions and beyond via eCampus Ontario):

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My Role in the Research Team

As part of the project, I played a key role in

  • writing and developing scenarios for VR simulations;

  • ensuring the authentic inclusion of people who experience disability;

  • collecting and analyzing data from pilot phases (prototypes); and

  • drafting reports for the funder

Ready2Work: A user-Informed employment website for autistic job-seekers

Brock University, Knick Labs, ISAND, McMaster University, YorkASD Partnership

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Note.

Left figure: a preview of the previous version of the Ready2Work platform is displayed below as a demonstration, and a link will be updated once the process is completed. 

Right figure: a QR code for the PDF version of the project poster for the INSAR conference 2023, which I developed and analyzed under the principal investigator Dr. Burnham Riosa's guidance.

Introduction/Background​

This research project focuses on integrated knowledge translation and has a dual purpose. Phase 1 aims to understand the essential factors identified by autistic job seekers, caregivers, and employment professionals for successful entry into the workforce. Building upon these insights, Phases 2 and 3 involve the development and pilot testing of an online employment platform.

 

The project aims to bridge the gap between research and practice, empowering autistic job-seekers in their journey toward meaningful employment.

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Final Product

Ready2Work online employment platform. It is currently in the process of transitioning to Autism Ontario. A link will be updated once the process is completed. 

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Dissemination (Final Product in Academic Field)

2021 RSIG Research Day Poster Presentation

https://oaddrsig2021.vercel.app/

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2023 International Society for Autism Research (INSAR) in-person Poster Presentation in Stockholm, Sweden

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My Role in the Research Team

As part of the project, I played a key role in

  • writing and developing the resource for the platform; 

  • assisting survey developments;

  • testing surveys and the platform

  • ensuring the authentic inclusion of autistic job seekers in all the processes of the product (our platform);

  • collecting and analyzing data from prototypes using SPSS and thematic analysis with our users (job-seekers); and

  • developing academic posters for conferences

Transitioning Together Project

Brock University, YorkASD Partnership, Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison

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Note.
Left figure: a preview of the psychoeducational program Transitioning Together

Right figure: a preview of the research process (partial) in the method part (for the protection of the intellectual property of our research team)

Introduction/Background​

The purpose of my authored research part was to

  1. examine the effectiveness of Transitioning Together in improving various parent, youth, and parent-child relational outcomes among families living in Ontario (program evaluation)

  2. for developing a better context and culture-adapted program

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Final Product

A final report to the funder based on our research and data analysis to identify the program's direction, adaptability, and sustainability for Ontarians.

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Dissemination (Final Product in Academic Field)

2022 International Society for Autism Research (INSAR), Virtual Poster Presentation

Titled "Transitioning Together: Evaluation of a Multi-Family Group Psychoeducation Program for Parents and Youth with Autism"

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2022 HWDDC (Canadian Health and Wellbeing in Developmental Disabilities Conference), Virtual Poster Presentation

Titled "Transitioning Together: Evaluation of a Multi-Family Group Psychoeducation Program for Parents and Youth with Autism"

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My Role in the Research Team

As part of the project, I played a key role in​

  • Developing surveys (user engagement and satisfaction surveys);

  • testing and disturbing surveys to users with high responses; 

  • ensuring the authentic inclusion of users in all the research processes;

  • collecting and analyzing data from surveys using SPSS and Tableau with our users; and

  • developing academic posters for conferences

  • presenting for HWDD Conference​

Academic Laboratory Website

Dr. Burnham Riosa Lab, Brock University

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Note.

A partial preview of my flow diagram of the website design.

Introduction/Background​

I initiated and developed an academic research laboratory website, increasing online presence and knowledge translation

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Final Product

https://www.pbriosalab.com

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Note for the Figures

A partial preview of my flow diagram of the website design.

IT'S AN IDEA
Ready2Work
TT
Lab Website
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