Externally Funded Projects

Developing Experience-Centric Accessible Immersive Virtual Reality Technology (AccessVR)

Contact: Kathrin Gerling
Funding Agency: European Research Council
Start: January 1st, 2024
End: December 31st, 2028
Link: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101115807

Virtual reality (VR) has promise to improve access to leisure activities, education, and work, but most VR systems are designed for non-disabled persons. Within AccessVR, we will address the physical, digital and experiential accessibility of VR for people with limited mobility, and will contribute a theoretical framework and research platform for accessible VR.

Detailed project description: More information on AccessVR

Real-World Lab Accessibility

Contact: Anna-Lena Meiners
Start: December 1st, 2022
End: November 30th, 2028
Link: https://accessibility.kit.edu/

The Real-World Lab “Accessibility” is a cross-disciplinary and participatory research effort that is concerned with the design, development and evaluation of novel technologies that can be leveraged by disabled people. Within the real-world lab, our aim is to build technology that facilitates equitable participation in society, that contributes to individual safety and comfort in spaces, and that facilitates access to enriching and engaging experiences. At the same time, we also want to make visible the limitations of technology, and contribute to conversation about when societal change and removal of structural barriers rather than individual intervention is required.

Detailed project description: https://accessibility.kit.edu/