Banner Image Missing
VR Job Tool for People with Autism Spectrum Disorder Available at Library
  
- Dan Marino Foundation partnership provides interview practice software -
  

BROWARD COUNTY, FL –The Dan Marino Foundation, in collaboration with Broward County Library, will be launching ViTA-DMF (Virtual Interactive Training Agent – The Dan Marino Foundation), a job tool initially developed for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities, at seven library locations. The equipment is available now at Main Library, 100 S Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301, 954-357-7444, and will be available at six regional Broward County Library locations by October 15, 2019.

The ViTA-DMF "stations," which are free and open to the public, use specialized software and virtual reality technology to immerse the user in a variety of job interview environments where they interact with a diverse set of custom-designed, virtual interviewers.Specially trained library staff assist users with the process and provide feedback. 

 "Broward County Library is excited about partnering with The Dan Marino Foundation to bring ViTA-DMF to our customers," says Broward County Library Director Kelvin Watson. "It will be invaluable in helping to develop crucial job-searching skills necessary for success and will enhance the existing career and employment services and resources offered by Broward County Library." 

“The Dan Marino Foundation is grateful to have the opportunity to launch ViTA software at Broward County Libraries,” says Dan Marino Foundation Director of Creative Technology, Santiago Bolivar. “ViTA-DMF was designed and developed with the community in mind. By bringing it to Broward County Libraries, we expect to reach as many individuals as possible and to be able to help them practice their interview skills, getting them a step closer to gaining meaningful employment.”

In addition to Main Library, the ViTA-DMF will be available October 15th at these regional library locations:

To make a free appointment for ViTA-DMF, please call the library directly.

Members of the media are invited to attend and cover the official partnership launch event and demo taking place on Thursday, September 12, 2019, from 11AM-Noon at Main Library, 100 S Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. Live trucks will be accommodated.

about The Dan Marino Foundation: The Dan Marino Foundation, Inc., a 501(c) 3 organization, was established by Dan and Claire Marino, motivated by experiences in raising their son, Michael, who is diagnosed with autism. For 27 years, the Foundation has been a leader in innovation and change, "empowering individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities.”  The Foundation has raised more than $79 million to create and support unique and impactful initiatives in the community. Among these first-of-their-kind enterprises are the Nicklaus Children's Hospital Dan Marino Outpatient Center, the Marino Autism Research Institute, Marino Adapted Aquatics, Summer STEPS Employment Programs, and Marino Campus post-secondary programs in Broward and Miami-Dade Counties. In 2020, Marino Virtual Learning will introduce online courses focused on social competency, independent living and gainful employment. At the forefront of creating new technologies to reduce the rate of unemployment for the individuals served, DMF developed award-winning software including Virtual Interactive Training Agent (ViTA DMF), ViTA Online, and ViTA Magic Leap. Whether pushing the frontiers of mixed reality with partners like Google and Magic Leap or preparing young adults with autism and other disabilities for careers, the Dan Marino Foundation is a game changer. . For more information, please visit danmarinofoundation.org,  marinocampus.org or vitadmf.org.

About Broward County Libraries Division 
Broward County Libraries Division, named 2015 Library of the Year by the Florida Library Association, was founded in 1974 and is the largest library system in Florida by square footage and one of the busiest, with more than 7.5 million walk-in customers visiting its 38 locations annually. Broward County Libraries Division provides convenient access to a full range of innovative and cost-effective services that satisfy the changing needs of the people of Broward County for information, education and recreation. Visit our website, Broward.org/Library, or follow Libraries on Facebook and Twitter

DATE: August 12, 2019
MEDIA CONTACT: Catherine McElrath
Libraries Division
PHONE: 954-357-7402
EMAIL: cmcelrath@Broward.org