Leveraging Virtual Reality Simulation to Engage Non-Disabled People in Reflection on Access Barriers for Disabled People

TL;DR

The paper addresses the limited reflexivity among non-disabled individuals regarding accessibility barriers and critiques disability simulations. It proposes a VR-based alternative that surfaces barriers in the built environment, using a case study of Karlsruhe's Durlacher Tor hub with visual embellishments to direct attention and encourage discussion about removal strategies. The main contribution is a concrete VR demo design that emphasizes barriers rather than lived disability, combined with practical implementation choices (Unity3D, Geoportal data, OpenXR) to facilitate reflective, collective action toward accessible urban spaces. The work demonstrates VR's potential to promote shared responsibility for accessibility and provides a foundation for further exploration of technology-enabled reflection in HCI and accessibility research.

Abstract

Disabled people experience many barriers in daily life, but non-disabled people rarely pause to reflect and engage in joint action to advocate for access. In this demo, we explore the potential of Virtual Reality (VR) to sensitize non-disabled people to barriers in the built environment. We contribute a VR simulation of a major traffic hub in Karlsruhe, Germany, and we employ visual embellishments and animations to showcase barriers and potential removal strategies. Through our work, we seek to engage users in conversation on what kind of environment is accessible to whom, and what equitable participation in society requires. Additionally, we aim to expand the understanding of how VR technology can promote reflection through interactive exploration.

Figures (1)

• Figure 1: Screenshots of the barriers and highlighting strategies leveraged in the VR environment.