XR for VR: using extended reality to close the career awareness GAP and achieve competitive integrated employment in vocational rehabilitation

The federal Project Grant award of $9,886,512.00 was provided by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) under the Disability Innovation Fund (CFDA 84.421) program. The grant, titled "XR FOR VR: USING EXTENDED REALITY TO CLOSE THE CAREER AWARENESS GAP AND ACHIEVE COMPETITIVE INTEGRATED EMPLOYMENT IN VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION," will be used by Bismarck State College, a state-controlled institution of higher learning within the North Dakota University System, to develop and implement innovative extended reality (XR) technologies to improve employment, education, and transition outcomes for individuals with disabilities. The project aims to transform subminimum wage employment, enhance competitive integrated employment, and increase access to advanced technology careers for youth and adults with disabilities. The grant award has an initial term of 5 years, from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2029.