IDEAL PARTNERs: Gantt

UltiSim

PARTNER Agent, Project Overview

NIDILRR-funded IDEAL PARTNERs grant  |  UltiSim subrecipient  |  Active development May–November 2026

What We're Building

PARTNER is an AI-powered conversational agent running on UltiSim's TalkEngine/RolePlayED platform. It engages employers, IDD adults, educators, and service professionals in natural dialogue about workplace accommodations, drawing from a structured knowledge corpus across six content pillars.

UltiSim Deliverables

  • Storyboards & conversation tree logic
  • UI/UX wireframes & interface design
  • Environment art & character models
  • Animations
  • Data collection programming (xAPI/LRS)
  • Testing & QA

Knowledge Corpus, Six Pillars

Federal Policy & Legal Frameworks
ADA, Section 503, WIOA, employer rights & obligations
Workplace Accommodation Tools
JAN, assistive technology databases, accommodation strategies
Transition Planning & School-to-Work
IEP, VR services, pre-ETS, transition specialists
North Carolina Resources
NCDHHS, DVR, WTNC, NCATP, local provider networks
Employer-Facing Inclusion
Business case for hiring, tax incentives, inclusive workplace practices
Research & Evidence Base
NIDILRR-funded studies, CIE outcomes data, best practices

Target Personas

IDD Adult
Job seeker seeking accommodations & self-advocacy support
Employer
HR manager or supervisor navigating accommodation obligations
Educator / Transition Specialist
School-to-work transition support & IEP planning
DSP / Service Professional
Direct support provider guiding employment pathways

Key Partners

UNC Chapel Hill
PI: Dr. Tomaszewski, research lead, IDEAL Virtual Toolkit
UltiSim
AI agent design, TalkEngine/RolePlayED, dev & QA
WTNC
Community collaboration & user input
NCATP
Assistive technology & accessibility guidance
Bridge Multimedia
Accessibility design

Gantt Chart View

Task Name

Table View

Task Name Start Date End Date Duration Assigned To Progress Status

Timeline View

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