Virtual Public Transport: impact for Municipalities, Provinces, and Government
Virtual OV is a groundbreaking solution for neurodivergent people, such as those with autism or a mild intellectual disability, but works just as well for anyone who wants to learn to travel independently using public transport. In a realistic VR environment, participants learn to travel safely and independently, contributing to self-reliance, inclusion, and cost savings. Thanks to its simple implementation and scalability, Virtual OV can be deployed quickly and widely within schools, care institutions, and municipalities.
- Promotes Self-Reliance and Participation: Virtual Public Transport offers participants a safe learning environment to practice travel skills. It increases self-confidence and helps overcome obstacles. Through repeated practice in a VR environment, skills are stored in procedural memory, making routine actions increasingly natural and less burdensome.
- Complies with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: With Virtual OV, your organization implements Measure 6 from module 'Accessible public transport' of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Work Agenda. This measure focuses on promoting independent travel through training, for which Virtual OV offers an innovative and scalable VR solution. In this way, you make a concrete contribution to accessible mobility and social inclusion for people with disabilities.
- Combating Mobility Poverty: By teaching your residents essential travel skills, Virtual OV contributes to measures against mobility poverty.
- Save Costs on Student and Target Group Transport: Reduced dependence on special transport leads to significant long-term savings.
If you want to give them the world, then you teach them to travel.
Behavioral expert Joke de Haan
Traveling by public transport has given me the freedom I have now.
Former student - Spinaker Alkmaar
"Teacher, if I learn this, I'll be able to take the train to work by myself later and won't have to take the van anymore."
Student - De Kameleon Roosendaal
Virtual OV is a real gamechanger for our students.
Marloes Heidekamp - Kranenburg Practical Education
What makes Virtual OV so effective is the 'fun factor'. If our young people enjoy something, their response brain switches on.
Dmitri Hazes – Kop-Zorg Alkmaar
Benefits of Virtual Public Transport
For Residents:
- Increased self-reliance and independence
- Greater mobility and access to amenities
- Greater self-confidence in using public transport
- Enhanced social skills and citizenship
For Municipalities, Provinces and Ministries:
- Compliance with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
- Giving substance to the Local Inclusion Agenda (LIA) by reducing mobility barriers
- Significant cost savings on student and target group transport
- A more inclusive society with better accessibility
- Positive impact on the quality of life of your residents
Virtual Public Transport and the Participation Act: Working together on independence and participation
Virtual OV supports municipalities, sheltered workshops, and other organizations in implementing the Participation Act, which aims to promote the independence and social participation of people with a disability or those distanced from the labor market.
The Participation Act helps people on their way to greater self-reliance and sustainable employment, with the ultimate goal of their full participation in society. Virtual OV contributes to this by allowing participants to practice travel skills in a safe, realistic Virtual Reality environment.
Through this practical training, people gain more confidence in using public transport, which significantly increases their chances of independence, employment, and social participation.
The training focuses not only on conscious learning but also on embedding practical skills in procedural memory. This is crucial for reducing stress and increasing self-confidence in complex, everyday situations.
With Virtual OV, municipalities and social workshops can give concrete substance to their statutory obligations under the Participation Act. In this way, Virtual OV supports not only individual participants but also policymakers and organizations in realizing inclusion and participation objectives.
Unburdening government authorities with Virtual Public Transport implementation
At Changefied, we understand that governments often face complex challenges when implementing new technologies. That is why we offer complete support for the implementation of Virtual Public Transport in your city or region. We can take care of all practical matters surrounding the implementation of Virtual Public Transport, allowing you to focus on the strategic benefits and societal impact of our solution.
Deployment in (special) education
Train students to learn to travel independently. This makes them less dependent on student and target group transport.
Integration into reintegration programs
Support people facing barriers to employment by providing a safe, realistic simulation of public transport and practicing travel skills and stress management.
Offerings in community centers and libraries
Make VR training low-threshold and accessible to everyone in the municipality.
Collaboration with healthcare institutions
Train clients with a disability. And prepare them for an independent future.
Who we work with
Collaborating for impact
At Changefied, we believe in the power of collaboration. We enjoy working with governments, local institutions, healthcare organizations, educational institutions, public transport companies, and other partners to further increase the impact of Virtual Public Transport. By pooling knowledge, experience, and resources, we can collectively contribute to an inclusive society where everyone has access to mobility.
Does your organization have ideas or plans to save costs, combat mobility poverty, or promote inclusivity? Let's collaborate! Together, we develop innovative solutions that meet the needs of your residents and contribute to societal goals.
Contact us to discuss opportunities for collaboration. Together, we make a difference!
Just as enthusiastic as we are?
Discover how Virtual OV can help your students or clients grow in self-reliance and self-confidence.
