Designing virtual reality applications for speech-language pathology: an interdisciplinary collaboration for aging-in-place practices and rehabilitation services

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present an interdisciplinary collaboration across aging-in-place (AIP) interior designers, technology specialists and medical speech-language pathologists (SLP) for the conceptualization, development and implementation of an immersive VR environment for rehabilitation services in speech-language pathology. Specifically, rehabilitation of cognitive and language disorders was targeted. Design/methodology/approach This case study will describe the procedures of this interdisciplinary collaboration, including logistics, guided discussion, reflection, consensus building and project management across multiple phases, resulting in the completion of a holistic, interdisciplinary multiyear and multiproject collaboration. Findings Guided discussions, reflection and consensus building across VR design, development and implementation for application to rehabilitation for speech-language pathology and aging-in-place were documented. The three general themes from this interdisciplinary collaboration in VR design for AIP and rehabilitation services were logistics, project management and communication. Practical implications This work provides a case example of how to apply best practice guidelines (Abeele et al., 2021; Brassel et al., 2021; Birckhead et al., 2019; Dermody et al., 2020; Healy et al., 2022) in an interdisciplinary collaboration for design and practice for XR technologies in AIP and rehabilitation. Originality/value This paper is the first case study description of interdisciplinary collaboration across aging-in-place (AIP) interior designers, technology specialists and speech-language pathologists (SLP), providing an example and detailed description of procedures and recommendations for successful and sustainable interdisciplinary collaboration.