Visualizing new horizons for the disabled

Hands-on training

Classroom coursework was only one aspect of the immersive program. Students engaged in real-world urban navigation drills, dubbed "check-in missions", under the supervision of "shadow volunteers".

The support staff avoided over-assisting participants and intervened only to prevent safety risks, letting students build independent problem-solving skills.

Most participants had rarely traveled alone until then. Over nine days, they learned to use the city's public transit system independently, navigated busy commercial districts and cultural sites including the Palace Museum, and learned to orient themselves using traffic sounds, environmental cues and spatial landmarks.

The curriculum covered topics that are not in standard secondary education. A workshop titled "Youth Without Confusion" facilitated open, guided discussions on romantic relationships, personal boundaries and sexual health.

Evening student-led clubs expanded students' hobbies and capabilities: a beauty group practiced makeup techniques with AI feedback, an aromatherapy club taught essential oil scalp massages, and an AI creation team built a customized accessible English-learning tool with word banks, error logs and text-to-speech functions. Students also staged comedy skits and spoken-word performances, processing shared experiences and bonding as a community.