Inclusive Web-based Virtual Reality: A11Y & WebXR Immerses the Visually Impaired

This presentation will showcase different approaches to accessibility in web-based virtual reality. Specifically, we will present an experience designed for visually impaired and blind users, showcased on the Oculus Go, empowered by spatial sound and audio navigation. We will also touch on a collaborative project with Equal Entry, that uses spatial audio in a virtual representation of a critical NYC street crossing, to train and prepare blind users to navigate and orient themselves in the everchanging urban jungle of Manhattan.

Presenter Bios:

Roland Dubois is the CXO and co-founder of Virtuleap. Founding designer at studio.zeldman and creator of GRAVR — A globally recognized avatar for VR on the web; previously, co-founded the consulting agency and dev shop ByteDept., designing projects for some of the world’s most respected brands in a variety of verticals including entertainment, consumer goods, education, digital and print publishing, and market research.

Ian Petrarca is a Creative Developer and Sound Engineer working on VR/AR, Interactive Installations and Spatial Audio. He grew up playing the drums and coding, which eventually led him to pursue a degree in Sound Engineering at the University of Michigan. At the moment, Ian is working on WebVR & XR experiences and believes that the web will be the ultimate platform for Spatial Media.