XR FOR AUTISM SUPPORT
EMPOWERING COMMUNICATION, LEARNING AND INDEPENDENCE THROUGH IMMERSIVE TECHNOLOGY

Wed November 11, 2026 04:00 pm CET

What if Virtual Reality could open new pathways for communication where traditional approaches reach their limits?

For some autistic people, communicating and interacting with others in the physical world can present significant challenges. Immersive environments can offer a different kind of space – one that can be adapted to individual needs and provide alternative ways to communicate, learn and connect with others.

In this fireside chat, Jackie Raphael, Co-Founder & CEO of AvaKay, joins D.J. Smith to share experiences from her work with autistic children and young people in Foretell Reality. Drawing on real-world examples, they explore how participants can find new ways to express themselves in VR – including through text-based communication – and how immersive environments can support learning, social interaction and greater independence.

Rather than presenting XR as a one-size-fits-all solution, the conversation will look at what happens when technology is shaped around the individual: What can become possible when we change not the person, but the environment in which communication and interaction take place?

Format

Fireside Chat

App

Foretell Reality

Duration

45 min

Access via

Presenter

Jackie Raphael
Co-Founder CEO at AvaKay

Emmy-winning television producer, strategist and coalition builder; assembled the AvaKay team after her nonspeaking Ava first spelled, “I want to start a revolution for my community.”

Moderator

D.J. Smith
Co-Founder and CCO at The Glimpse Group

D.J. Smith is the Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer at The Glimpse Group.  The Glimpse Group (Nasdaq: VRAR) is an immersive technology platform company, comprised of a diverse ecosystem of companies providing enterprise-focused AR and VR software and services across sectors. At Glimpse, D.J. oversees the creation of VR and AR content, contributes to strategic decision-making, and supports marketing and business development initiatives.  In addition, D.J. is the Organizer of The New York Virtual Reality Meetup (NYVR). NYVR is one of the largest virtual reality meetups in the world with 7000+ members and it is the premiere venue for XR industry networking and collaboration within New York City.  

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