This webinar explores how we can approach XR through an inclusive design lens and takes a look at some of the latest research to explore some of the common barriers and ways to understand, prevent, and remove them. After this session, you will have a practical foundation in accessibility within XR projects.

1. Inclusive Design in XR & Beyond

8. ‣Not science - sharing opinion &
perspective. Plural of anecdote isn’t data.
‣Just me - I speak for myself, not all
autistic people etc etc.
Disclaimer

9. …

10. Inclusive Design in XR & Beyond

17. + Environment
Disability

18. A barrier is a mismatch
between a person & the
environment

19. Autism doesn’t disable me.
I am disabled by the barriers
in the environment

20. XR is the creation of new environments
& the creation of new barriers

21. Lenses - What is a barrier anyway?
Getting Started - How to begin
Big Picture - Where can barriers be found?

22. Lenses.

23. Where do barriers come
from?

24. Barriers
Assumptions Exclusion
The assumptions we make are encoded into
what we build in the form of barriers.

25. Barriers
Assumptions Exclusion
The assumptions we make are encoded into
what we build in the form of barriers.

26. Barriers
Assumptions Exclusion
The assumptions we make are encoded into
what we build in the form of barriers.

27. Barriers
Solutions
Knowledge

28. (1) Assumptions we make about the
user’s body & abilities.
(2) Assumptions we make about the
user’s environment and situation.
Barries arise from
assumptions:

29. (1) Assumptions we make about the
user’s body & abilities.
(2) Assumptions we make about the
user’s environment and situation.
Barries arise from
assumptions:

30. Motor → ← Cognitive
Vision → ← Hearing
Assumptions about a users body:

31. Assumptions about a users ability:
Percentage
of
population

32. Assumptions about a users ability:
Capacity
Ability Capability Capacity

33. Assumptions about a users ability:
Ability Capability Capacity

34. (1) Assumptions we make about the
user’s body & abilities.
(2) Assumptions we make about the
user’s environment and situation.
Barries arise from
assumptions:

35. Train → ← Emergency
Bright sun → ← Sleeping Partner
Assumptions about environment & situation

36. (1) Assumptions we make about the
user’s body & abilities.
(2) Assumptions we make about the
user’s environment and situation.
Barries arise from
assumptions:

37. …

38. Lenses - What is a barrier anyway?
Getting Started - How to begin
Big Picture - Where can barriers be found?

39. Big Picture
Context & Shape

40. ← Big Picture

41. Solution Space
The physical things,
headsets & controllers.
Hardware
What we surround the
user with.
Environment
Bulling blocks of
interaction & gameplay
Content

42. Solution Space
The physical things,
headsets & controllers.
Hardware
What we surround the
user with.
Environment
Bulling blocks of
interaction & gameplay
Content

43. Headsets → ← Controllers
Cables → ← Drivers
Solution Space: Hardware

44. Solution Space
The physical things,
headsets & controllers.
Hardware
What we surround the
user with.
Environment
Bulling blocks of
interaction & gameplay
Content

45. Perception → ← Navigation
Information → ← Affordances
Solution Space: Environment

46. Solution Space
The physical things,
headsets & controllers.
Hardware
What we surround the
user with.
Environment
Bulling blocks of
interaction & gameplay
Content

47. Narrative → ← Gameplay
Interactions → ← Instruction
Solution Space: Content

48. Solution Space
The physical things,
headsets & controllers.
Hardware
What we surround the
user with.
Environment
Bulling blocks of
interaction & gameplay
Content

49. Barriers
Solutions
Knowledge

50. Barriers
Assumptions Exclusion

51. Better Assumptions → Less Barriers → Less Exclusion

52. By looking at common barriers we can
identify the assumption which created them.

54. Barriers Browser Deep Dive | Presentations | Resources

55. ~1700 Observations over >100 participants
~20 Barriers Across 3 of 5 Groups
Thematic Analysis ~70 Barriers
Our Methdolgy

56. Controller Holding
Controller Orientation
Input Press & Hold
Multiple Input
Comprehension
Expectation
Way Finding
Timing
Colour Contrast
Determining Direction
Signage
Text
Motor Barriers Cognitive Barriers Low Vision Barriers
14 Common XR Barriers

57. Controller Holding
Controller Orientation
Input Press & Hold
Multiple Input
Reach & Balance
Comprehension
Expectation
Way Finding
Timing
Focus & Memory
Sensory
Colour Contrast
Determining Direction
Signage
Text
Motor Barriers Cognitive Barriers Low Vision Barriers

58. Switches + Alt Input
Performance Testing (robots!)
Low Vision Adaptions
Inclusive Feedback Forms
Motor Barriers
Cognitve Barriers
Overview
How to test in VR
Gallery
Health & Safety Posters
Session Posters
Feedback forms
Deep Dives Presentations Other
Other Resources

59. …

60. Lenses - What is a barrier anyway?
Getting Started - How to begin
Big Picture - Where can barriers be found?

61. Where to start?

62. Controller Holding
Controller Orientation
Input Press & Hold
Multiple Input
Reach & Balance
Comprehension
Expectation
Way Finding
Timing
Focus & Memory
Sensory
Colour Contrast
Determining Direction
Signage
Text
Motor Barriers Cognitive Barriers Low Vision Barriers

63. Controller Holding
Controller Orientation
Input Press & Hold
Multiple Input
Reach & Balance
Comprehension
Expectation
Way Finding
Timing
Focus & Memory
Sensory
Colour Contrast
Determining Direction
Signage
Text
Motor Barriers Cognitive Barriers Low Vision Barriers

64. 1. Control ·
2. Understand ·
3. Navigate ·
Motor Barriers
Switch Control
Comprehension
Expectations
Way finding

65. 1. Control ·
2. Understand ·
3. Navigate ·
Motor Barriers
Switch Control
Comprehension
Expectations
Way finding

66. Motor Barriers
Controller Holding & Orientation
Switch Controls
Much easier than it seems.

67. Motor Barriers
Controller Holding & Orientation
Switch Controls
Much easier than it seems.

68. Tip 1: Support Xbox 360 Controller

69. SWI TCH CO NT ROL S CH EME S FOR N AVIGATION
Head & Neck based navigation
This control scheme was developed for participants
who could not hold and orientate the vive motion
controller but had good head and neck control
The motion controller was fixed to the headset (1)
and a ping pin or lib switch was placed within the
users reach (2)
To teleport the participant would first depress and
hold the switch, then select a place to teleport too
using a blue line projected from the head mounted
controller, then release the switch to initiate the
teleport.
This method was used by participants either
standing, standing with aids, or sitting in a
wheelchair.
1
2
SW ITC H CON TROL SC HEMES FOR N AVIGATIO N
Fixed Position Navigation
This control scheme was developed for participants
who could not hold and orientate the vive motion
controller using any part of their body.
To track orientation a motion controller was fixed
to the participant, their wheelchair or a standing
aid (1). A ping pin or lib switch was placed within
the users reach (2).
To teleport the participant would first depress and
hold the switch, then choose a teleport target using
a blue line projected from the fixed controller. Once
a target was chose the participant would release
the switch too initiate the teleport.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/accessibility/forproducts/xr/deep-dives
Standing Head Controller
Purple - A head mounted
Vive controller for setting
direction / aiming
Blue - Ping ping switch
placed in the placed in the
users pocket / clothing used
to trigger teleportation
Wheelchair Teleport
Purple - A fixed position
head or chair mounted Vive
controller. Tracks chair
rotation.
Blue - Button switch attach
to wheelchair. Leaving one
hand free for controlling the
wheelchair
Rotate & Move Forward
Blue le" - Button switch
which rotates the user le"
within the virtual
environment at 10° per
second.
Blue Right - Button switch
which moves the user
forward at a rate of 25cm
per second.
SWITCH CONTROL SCHEMES FOR N AVIGATIO N

70. Controller Base
We used a Microso" Xbox Adaptive Controller as
our switch base. This was connected wirelessly to a
windows 10 laptop and feeding data into the
Unreal engine via a mapped controller config.
The controller was held in a backpack or zip tied to
a wheelchair depending on the users mobility.
H A R DWA R E + S O F T WA R E
Ping Pong Switch
We used a ping pong switch for situations where a
low activation force from any direction would be
beneficial.
The switch was mounted to a wheelchair, held in
the participants hand, placed in a a pocket or
placed under the users chin.
Big Lib & Mini Lib Switch
These flat button switches come in two sizes. They
provide a large area switch which requires low
force to activate. We used multiple colours and the
buttons also support affixing labels.
The buttons where mounted to participants
wheelchairs.
H A R DWA R E + S O F T WA R E
Head Mounted Controller
While the standard HTC Vive controller could not
be held by all participants. Some control schemes
still used the controller as a head mounted tool.
This allowed the controller to track the users head
movement or wheelchair rotation.
The controller was mounted via zip ties to the HMD
https://www.bbc.co.uk/accessibility/forproducts/xr/deep-dives

71. 1. Control ·
2. Understand ·
3. Navigate ·
Motor Barriers
Switch Control
Comprehension
Expectations
Way finding

72. 1. Control ·
2. Understand ·
3. Navigate ·
Motor Barriers
Switch Control
Comprehension
Expectations
Way finding

73. Comprehension
Subtle & intersectional
Expectation
Walking on cobbles
Being safe

74. Comprehension
Subtle & intersectional
Expectation
Walking on cobbles
Skirting Board

75. Cognitive Barriers
Subtle & intersectional
Expectation
Walking on cobbles
Skirting Board

76. 1. Control ·
2. Understand ·
3. Navigate ·
Motor Barriers
Switch Control
Comprehension
Expectations
Way finding

77. 1. Control ·
2. Understand ·
3. Navigate ·
Motor Barriers
Switch Control
Comprehension
Expectations
Way finding

78. Wayfinding from place to place
Just the right spot.
Navigating
Positioning

79. Lenses - What is a barrier anyway?
Highlights - some of the best bits
Project Overview - The big picture

80. XR is the creation of new environments
& the creation of new barriers

81. Who does XR/VR disable?

82. When we get this right we can
turn potential into reality for
billions of users.

83. ‣Podcast: 1800 Seconds on Autism
‣Twitter: @spacedoutsmiles
‣Web:
‣jamieandlion.com
‣spacedoutandsmiling.com
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