Tech

VR is still here. Time to make it accessible


With recent reveal about PlayStation VR2, Sony brings its virtual reality system to current console generations, proving that VR is here to stay. Oculus Quest 2, Valve Index and now PS VR2 are just some of the headsets that people can use to explore historical locations, become game characters, and even create unique avatars to chat with friends. But the announcement of new VR systems always raises the same question – can people with disabilities use them?

While some VR games include accessibility options and comprehensive design approaches, like Polyarc Games’ Moss, which has the main character using ASLVR’s reliance on physical movements can be a deterrent for many players with mobility disabilities. In addition, headsets and screen resolutions can pose many barriers for users with low vision, to the point where games without the right features or accessible design are completely unplayable. . And as accessibility grows, the presence of VR is a sign that an industry still has a lot to learn.

Erin accessibility consultant”geekygimp“Hawley’s physical disability prevents her from enjoying many VR games. Suffering from muscular dystrophy, Hawley is unable to stand and can only move his right arm a few inches; she can’t move to her left. She has Oculus Quest 2, but she has limited playability.

“VR is really inaccessible to me. I had to hold the right controller at an odd angle to both reach the trigger and point the pointer at objects on the screen,” Hawley said. “The need to use both the controller and reach high-altitude subjects makes me unavoidable for most apps and games. Also, when you have to rotate your whole body to look at something, it’s almost impossible — I have to steer my wheelchair in circles while holding on to the VR controller.”

Hawley acknowledges that developers are trying to make their games inclusive, and since VR is relatively new in terms of industry-wide support, the opportunity to create accessible experiences is still emerging. discover. However, without the right options or accessible design, Hawley can’t even access games or apps like historical simulations. Something like Anne Frank House Virtual Reality Touran experience accessible to everyone, but fraught with barriers that keep the tour from being complete.

“I got to a point where I had to mimic the way the door opened, but there was no way I could do that with the controller,” she said. “Why can’t there be an option to open the door with the push of a button? I understand the need to be immersed, but I can’t open the door in the real world either, so it just locks me in. Literally.”

Hawley is not alone in his frustration. People like Daniel’s accessibility advocate”AccessibleDan“Gilbert and content creator Kristie”KristieMJM“Matheson cannot play VR games that require large movements. Like Hawley, Gilbert was unable to pass the Anne Frank House VR tour due to the necessary motion controls. “At one point, it required the user to physically interact with the bookcase leading up to the tour, and I was unable to progress. I’m really annoyed that even the educational content is not accessible,” he said.

For Matheson, a spinal cord injury at birth resulted in paralysis of her right side, leading to balance problems and weakness. Therefore, VR games that require a lot of movement on both sides of the body will be extremely difficult to play. Furthermore, the headphones themselves can negatively affect her balance. “Developers need to realize that not everyone can do everything with all the body parts and may need to sit down if playing games with VR,” she said. Although she and Gilbert can’t play certain games, Matheson still believes VR can be accessible, if developers design games to accommodate audiences with disabilities.





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