AWE Nite Chicago

AWE Nite Chicago | The Next Evolution and Accessibility

Wed, Jun 3 · 5:30 PM CDT

4245 N Knox Ave, 4245 North Knox Avenue, Chicago, IL, US

Wednesday 06/03/2026

5:30pm Physical | 6:00pm Virtual (Central)

AWE Nite Chicago | The Next Evolution and Accessibility

Free to Attend

This is a hybrid event where we field questions from our in-person audience, the virtual environment audience in FRAME, as well as those tuning in via YouTube.

5:30pm | In Person | 2112: 4245 N Knox Ave
6:00pm | Virtually | FRAMEvr
6:15pm | Live Stream | youtube.com/@AWEXR/streams

Beer provided by Revolution Brewing
Seltzers provided by [SYSTEM] Seltzers

About the Topic:
Virtual reality promises to transport anyone anywhere from historic landmarks, fantasy worlds, to shared social spaces, etc. But for people living with disabilities, that promise comes with real barriers. Movement-dependent controls are built around an assumed "standard" body and often headsets remain incompatible with corrective lenses. Visual settings, UI text, and sound design are frequently overlooked in ways that make experiences unplayable for low-vision users. And too often, disabled users aren't a part of the design and testing process at all.

Some researchers and developers are working to address these gaps, from customizable motion remapping systems that allow users to adapt controls to their own range of movement, to more thoughtful approaches to input, interface, and hardware design. Augmented reality glasses with closed captioning are being used in the arts and entertainment to make their programming more accessible to those who are deaf or hard of hearing. VR and AR are also being used to support those with visual impairments, with use cases like augmented reality cameras that project enhanced, high-contrast imagery onto the working part of a user's retina, improving navigation and independence. Immersive technology is also used as a tool for building empathy, placing users inside the lived experience of people with disabilities to foster deeper understanding and more person-centered care.

Join us June 3rd at 5:30pm at 2112 where this session brings together disability advocates, accessibility consultants, and XR developers to explore where the industry stands today, what meaningful progress looks like in practice, and how designing for people with disabilities ultimately leads to better, more flexible experiences for everyone.

What's The Format:
We will start with informal networking with demonstrations, then host a panel discussion to answer audience questions, and we end with more networking and demonstrations. We keep it simple and informal – this meetup is about you, our members, and not just a soap box for the host, presenters, or our sponsors. Come and get your questions answered, take your next step in Immersive Technology.

5:30-8:30pm Central
5:30-6:15 PM Networking & Tech Demos
6:15-6:30 PM Welcome Message
6:30-7:10 PM Panelist Presentations
7:10-7:45 PM Panel Discussion with Q&A
7:45-8:30 PM Networking & Tech Demos

Host:
Matt Wren - In-Person Host
Founder VRAR Chicago & The Next Evolution

Andrew Towl - Virtual Host
XR Unity Developer & 3D Generalist - ApparitionXR

For More Details:
https://thenextevolution.org/upcoming-events/

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Register Here:

https://www.eventbrite.com/o/the-next-evolution-nfp-109384632841

The Next Evolution | AWE Nite Chicago Event Series (produced by VRAR Chicago) is now and always will be 100% free to attend.

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Thanks to The Next Evolution Sponsors like VRAR Chicago, 2112 and beverage sponsors [system] seltzers and Revolution Brewing.

We would also like to thank our Community Partners that help us continue spreading the joy of immersive technologies: FrameVR, XR Women, NVZN, Patched Reality, Two Degrees.io, and Unreal Chicago.