Extended Reality-New Opportunity for People With Disability? Practical and Ethical Considerations

Area of Science:

• Computer Science
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Disability Studies

Background:

• Virtual environments evolved into virtual reality, mixed reality, and augmented reality, collectively termed extended reality (XR).
• Previous technologies have enabled social and professional participation for people with disabilities.
• The impact of XR on individuals with disabilities remains largely unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify potential opportunities XR presents for people with disabilities.
• To outline the challenges associated with XR adoption for this demographic.
• To discuss ethical considerations for implementing immersive technologies with marginalized groups.

Main Methods:

• Literature review on XR technologies and their applications.
• Analysis of potential benefits and drawbacks for people with disabilities.
• Ethical framework development for XR implementation.

Main Results:

• XR may enhance communication, interaction, and relationship-building for people with disabilities.
• Potential challenges include accessibility, cost, and digital divide issues.
• Ethical considerations involve data privacy, user autonomy, and equitable access.

Conclusions:

• XR holds promise for increasing inclusion and participation for people with disabilities.
• Careful planning and ethical guidelines are crucial for equitable XR deployment.
• Further research is needed to fully understand and maximize XR's benefits for diverse populations.