Washington, D.C. – The Community Discussion Series on Neurodivergence in XR hosted by XR Access and the XR Association, held on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, brought together experts to explore how accessibility in immersive technologies can enhance the experience for neurodivergent individuals. The panel featured Olga Ivanova, CEO of VR Oxygen, who emphasized the importance of designing virtual environments that accommodate sensory differences. Kate Kalcevich, Head of Accessibility at Fable, highlighted how inclusive design can address common barriers neurodivergent users face, such as overstimulation or confusing interfaces. Jasmine Collins, a PhD student at Cornell Tech, added insights from her research on cognitive load and user-friendly design principles.
The event had more than 70 concurrent attendees, including participants from industry, academia, and civil society, creating a well-rounded dialogue about the challenges and opportunities of accessibility in immersive technology. Discussions focused on best practices for incorporating accessibility tools, like customizable sensory inputs and adaptive user interfaces, that support varying needs. The group also explored how developers can engage neurodivergent users in the co-creation of these tools to ensure they meet practical, real-world needs.
If you are interested in learning more about XR and accessibility, please visit the XRA website.
Please click the link below to watch the full recording of the Neurodivergence in XR Community Discussion.
Stay tuned for upcoming announcements on the next community discussion series, and for questions related to this initiative, please reach out to Peirce Clark, Senior Manager of Research and Best Practices.
