People living with disabilities encounter obstacles on a daily basis that make the world less accessible. One billion people in the world have some sort of disability and these individuals must deal with physical barriers, discriminatory attitudes, and other challenges. Virtual reality provides opportunities for many for socialization, adventure, and experiences they may not in the real world.
VR technology completely blends in with our daily lives. Video games, the media, medicine, entertainment, education… But what is it exactly?
In its most basic form, VR is the use of computer technology to create a simulated environment. Unlike traditional user interfaces, VR places the user inside an experience. Instead of viewing a screen in front of them, users are immersed and able to interact with 3D worlds. By simulating as many senses as possible, such as vision, hearing, touch, even smell, the computer is transformed into a gatekeeper to this artificial world.
VR is allowing people to do things they would otherwise never be able to do.The potential is there for even greater accessibility to virtual environments for disabled users, however, but first we need to create tools that enable them to participate without barriers. Based on all this, The project “Social and Physical Inclusion of Paraplegic Youth by Using Virtual Reality”, shortly VR4Inclusion aims to empower young people with SC paralysis to become involved in social life and support their self-sufficiency. This goal was achieved by combining technology and sports. Three VR (virtual reality) mobile apps have been created to help them overcome spinal cord paralysis.
To download the games from google play, use the links:
Play testing was conducted as a part of a social inclusion event, in which disabled young people participated as well as non-disabled people, who got together to play the games and share their opinions.
Project Website: http://vr4inclusion.org
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