Report on XR Access XR Open Source Projects

We have three presentations from the XROS Fellowship Program involved in open source projects done in collaboration with Equal Entry and XR Access's Prototype for the People.

1. Developing an Open Source Caption System for XR in Unity
Incorporating captions effectively in immersive virtual reality settings poses unique challenges compared to traditional two-dimensional media.

In this talk, Savio Menifer shares his insights on using Chirp, an open-source caption system for extended reality projects developed in Unity. Attendees will gain an understanding of the issues surrounding captioning in VR and get a peek into the process of developing an open-source caption system specifically designed for extended reality (XR) projects in Unity.

Attendees can expect to:

• Discover the challenges of implementing captions in immersive VR environments.
• Learn about the limitations of existing best practices and resources for developing VR captions.
• Understand how to get started with implementing captions in their own Unity projects.

Presenter
Savio Menifer is a designer and developer who works with emerging technology like VR. Working as a freelance consultant, he creates XR experiences that are social, playful, and inclusive by design.

Savio recently completed a fellowship with XR Access, during which he contributed to the Prototype for the People project. The project focuses on creating open-source prototypes and code samples around accessibility in XR.

2. Vision Accessibility Toolkit for VR
This presentation covers leveraging XR technologies to create inclusive online immersive presentations for people with disabilities. Attendees will learn about best practices using the VRC5 based vision accessibility toolkit that Yuvraj Kadale developed as part of his XROS fellowship.

Attendees will gain valuable insights on ensuring XR technology remains inclusive across all platforms, empowering individuals with disabilities to fully participate in the virtual environment.

Presenter
Yuvraj Kadale is a XR developer at Stryker Global Tech, recognized for his work in implementing cutting-edge XR solutions. With a master's degree in Electronics and Communication from National Institute of Technology, Hamirpur, India, Yuvraj brings a strong academic foundation to his work. His experience in XR for medical visualization further enhances his ability to create impactful and immersive experiences in the healthcare industry.

As a XROS fellow with XR Access and Equal Entry, he made significant contributions to the implementation of Meta's VRC5 accessibility guideline, demonstrating his dedication to creating inclusive and immersive experiences in the XR industry.

3. Multiple Locomotion Styles in Virtual Reality for People with Disabilities
Virtual reality (VR) has the potential to provide a wide range of benefits for people with disabilities. However, one of the biggest challenges to VR adoption for this population is the lack of accessible locomotion options.

This talk will discuss the different types of locomotion styles that can be implemented in VR for disabled persons, as well as the factors that should be considered when choosing a locomotion style for a particular application.

After attending this talk, attendees will:

• Understand the different locomotion styles that can be used in VR for disabled persons.
• Identify the advantages and disadvantages of each locomotion style.
• Select the best locomotion style for a particular user.
• Gain an understanding of the challenges and opportunities of using VR for people with disabilities.

Presenter
Shivam Sharma has over five years of experience in creating interactive and immersive experiences in XR development. He also founded an EdTech XR startup that focuses on providing easy access to high-quality education for deaf and blind students using AR technology.

Shivam currently lives in Chandigarh, India, and frequently travels to different parts of India to deliver workshops and training sessions.

Accessibility
The presentation will be captioned [cc]. The event will have real-time captions and a YouTube live stream.

Livestream
Watch on YouTube

Sponsors
Thanks to Equal Entry for sponsoring. Interested in being a sponsor? Contact the organizers.

Accreditation
All A11yVR meetups are pre-approved for IAAP Continuing Accessibility Education Credits (CAEC).

Timeline
Please NOTE: Meetup is not skilled in representing time zones. This Meetup is set in Tokyo, Japan so it will display differently than your local time zone. When you RSVP, use the "Add to calendar" link to receive a calendar invite in your time zone.