Commissioner Eileen Higgins partners with Equality Lab to host a Virtual Reality (VR) event for seniors

Commissioner Higgins observes as a senior enjoys a virtual reality experience.

MIAMI-DADE, FL — Miami-Dade County Commissioner Eileen Higgins partnered with the non-profit organization Equality Lab to host a “Virtual Reality (VR) Genie” event at Jewish Community Services of South Florida in Miami Beach on April 4. The event provided seniors with an invigorating VR experience. Over 30 seniors were able to fulfill their wishes of swimming with the dolphins, visiting Europe, and traveling back to their homeland – all through cutting-edge technology.

“It was touching to witness the seniors virtually reconnect with their past lives or live out a dream through this emerging technology,” said Commissioner Higgins. “It was thrilling to see how technology can be utilized to make lives better, especially for the most vulnerable.”

Equality Lab is a non-profit organization which uses virtual reality to make seniors’ dreams come true in nursing homes, hospices, and assisted living facilities.

“In Aladdin, when the genie is released from the oil lamp, he uses his magical powers to grant Aladdin three wishes. But in 2019, who needs a lamp when you can have a VR headset? With VR goggles, we can all be ‘everyday genies,’ grant unlimited wishes and bring magic into seniors’ lives,” said Dr. Alexandra Ivanovitch, Equality Lab Founding Director.

Commissioner Higgins speaks at Jewish Community Services of South Florida in Miami Beach.