The Next Evolution and Accessibility

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

Hosts:

Matt Wren - In-Person Host
Founder of The Next Evolution Nonprofit Event Series & VRAR Chicago

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

Panel Members:
Find Details at thenextevolution.org/upcoming-events

Attending The Next Evolution

Joining in Person:

2112 | 4245 N Knox Ave

conveniently located off Interstate 90/94, one (1) block from the CTA Montrose Blue Line stop as well as the Metra Mayfair stop.
Watching the Live Stream www.youtube.com/@AWEXR/streams

People can join by watching the scheduled live stream where we will field questions from!

Joining Virtually in FRAME
Framevr.io/the-next-evolution-awe-nite-chicago

We encourage folks to join us in the virtual environment by simply clicking the link above.

The Frame virtual environment resembles a physical space, so you will be able to talk with other attendees prior to the start of the presentations. We suggest that you arrive no later than 6:00pm and we will get started promptly at 6:15. Please try to get familiar with the technology prior to the meetup, as we will be unable to provide support during the event. Share your camera or simply be a unique avatar or a robot!

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

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Host or Publisher The Next Evolution, NFP