It's not yet clear how much of a role it will play in day-to-day life, but it is clear that virtual reality (VR) is here to stay. With the technological developments that have happened so far and the plans many tech companies are pursuing, there's a good chance that VR technology will significantly impact society. As the importance of accessibility is being more understood and acknowledged each day, what does VR mean for the future of digital accessibility?
New challenges
The fact that much of the Internet isn't accessible shows how much work remains to improve digital accessibility. And it's no surprise; the digital landscape isn't static. Technological advancements are constant in today's dynamic world, and standards must be kept current to account for these advances to ensure everyone can access new technologies.
This creates an ongoing challenge for designers and developers, and VR has the potential to make things even more challenging. The expectation of adopting new technology could generate pressure that shifts focus away from prioritizing accessibility while these changes are happening.
By creating digital interfaces and spaces that individuals can experience through VR rather than screens and other devices, usability and accessibility must be rethought. Fortunately, companies and organizations are already working on standards to help provide guidance, but that doesn't reduce the complexity of the task.
Additionally, VR will continue to introduce new devices into the digital ecosystem. Hardware developers will need to focus on accessibility to avoid creating new barriers as VR becomes more mainstream, and software developers will have many more devices to test. Additionally, the rapid pace of technology change means that new challenges will always arise as a result of developing new assistive devices.
New opportunities
But facing challenges doesn't have to be a negative thing. The new challenges presented by VR and an evolving digital reality can help improve the guidelines for digital accessibility, making them more approachable and more future-proof.
The expansion of VR provides a chance to rethink society's use of digital technology. Virtual spaces can allow people to interact with others safely, more equitably, and with fewer assumptions or prejudices that may color initial meetings in person.
It can also provide ways for people to enjoy new experiences that may not be accessible in the physical world. VR is often used to simulate places that exist, allowing anyone the ability to travel around the world. The technology has even been explored as a potential tool for therapeutic purposes.
And though new hardware does come with challenges, if developers make new devices with accessibility in mind from the start, it could lead to an entirely new standard of expectations moving forward. This could help further normalize accessible design and development practices, making it easier to build upon existing technology and keep things accessible as things change.
Moving forward in the right direction
VR will change how everyone interacts, gets things done, and experiences the world, which is why it's necessary to ensure nobody gets left behind as it becomes more mainstream. Much of the work will fall on designers and developers, but the responsibility isn't theirs alone. VR has the potential to help improve accessibility. Still, it will take widespread social investment to ensure VR becomes a tool that breaks down barriers instead of creating them.
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