BY Shelby Scalici / FEBRUARY 20, 2026
At JSDD, I have the privilege of working with adults who continue to demonstrate courage, curiosity, and the desire to experience more. As a speech-language pathologist, my focus has always been functional; with exploration and encouragement. Communication is not simply about words and language; it’s about opportunity, independence, and engagement.
I have recently introduced the VR (virtual reality) world to our members. With the understanding that many VR sets involve coordinated motor movements, I decided to exclude that element and instead focus on the experience. Sharing videos with the projector turned the activity into a ‘movie theater’ experience. We got to watch at the same time and talk about our ideas.
I see these new experiences as a starting place for increased social interaction, problem solving, expressive language, and inclusion in the community.
Margo: From “I Want To” to “I Did”
When Margo shared that her biggest desire is to walk, I supported that goal in a way that could be meaningful in the moment. We talked about what walking could mean in exciting environments like Central Park — outdoor spaces filled with sights, energy, and community.
Her interests grew from there. She wanted to ride roller coasters, experience a hot air balloon, and adaptive skiing. I even shared my personal videos of mountain biking and hiking in the Grand Canyon. Margo did it all! The result was not just engagement — it was visible joy, anticipation, and a sense of inclusion.
Angel: Imagination
Angel is motivated by music, singing, dancing, and excitement. He wanted to race cars, ride motor bikes, and fight monsters and zombies. We used VR games to include skills such as sequencing, language, storytelling, and creativity. His desire for the adrenaline rush was supported in a safe and purposeful manner.
Judy: Beyond Spoken Words
Judy has limited ability to communicate verbally; however, she has a lot to share.
Over time at JSDD, Judy and I have developed a meaningful relationship. I have come to understand how she expresses preferences, recognition, emotion, and memory. Judy has strong ties with her family. She often reflects on playing games with her mom and aunts such as Rummikub, Backgammon, and Scrabble. Judy has shared pictures with me of her summers spent swimming and eating in cafes with her cousins in Budapest.
Judy has expressed that she would love the opportunity for continued travel. I wanted to offer her the opportunity to revisit her memories from the past. We used VR to explore Florida, New York City, Brooklyn, Budapest, and Israel. Through guided exploration, we were able to revisit those meaningful places together. I saw the recognition and connection to her past.
Redefining Opportunity
The images from our sessions reflect what matters most: relationships. At JSDD and the WAE Center, we support our members by offering them opportunities, autonomy, trust, decency, and growth. The true commitment is in the continued belief that our members deserve access to challenges, community, adventure, and growth. With technology such as VR, we have been able to meet our members where they are while at the same time offering them “the world”.
