Accessibility in XR

Introduction

Do you think that everyone can use Extended Reality (XR)?

Think more…

Persons with functional diversity (also known as persons with disabilities) have the right to use any digital application, including XR. For that, they need that XR applications include accessibility features, normally based on adaptation and user settings, so that the XR application meets their specific needs.

This course will provide an introduction to Accessibility of XR applications. For that, it will introduce concepts on diversity, disability, accessibility, and assistive products. Then it will cover the current standards and legislation on accessibility. Finally, the course will explain the specific challenges of accessibility in XR, and provide recommendations for developers.

Table of contents

1. Introduction: disability and accessibility
   • Disability: the social model
   • Functional diversity: concept and discrimination
   • Functional diversity: classification
   • The impact of diversity
2. Assistive Products
   • Assistive products: definition and examples
   • Interoperability of information technology and assistive products
3. Accessibility standards and legislation
   • Legal obligations for accessibility in Europe
   • ICT accessibility standards
   • European ICT accessibility requirements EN 301 549
4. Accessibility in XR
   • Why accessibility in XR is different
   • Recommendations for accessible XR

Learning objectives

After completing this course, you will be able to

• Define the concepts related to disability, accessibility, and functional diversity
• Describe the assistive products used by persons with functional diversity, and how these products interoperate with information technology
• Describe the legal obligations of accessibility of information technology in Europe, and the related technical standards
• Describe how accessibility in XR is different and the recommended approach
• Describe several recommendations to improve the accessibility of XR applications