HOW AR/VR CAN PROMOTE EQUITY AND INCLUSION

AR/VR is still a relatively nascent technology, and new possibilities for its use in equity and inclusion efforts are continuously emerging as the underlying technology improves and a more diverse set of users experience it for the first time. There are three key areas of opportunity for AR/VR to support broader equity and inclusion efforts: leveraging its potential as an empathy tool, adapting its extensive capabilities to meet the needs of users with disabilities, and mitigating barriers that arise from physical distance to strengthen communities and enhance person-to-person interactions across locations.

-ITIF , Current and Potential Uses of AR/VR for Equity and Inclusion. Elysse Dick, June 2021

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• AR/VR technologies, due to their highly adaptable and immersive nature, are uniquely positioned to reduce barriers and create opportunities for marginalized groups and underserved communities.

• By creating the feeling of “really being there,” immersive experiences offer new possibilities for bias training in key areas such as education and law enforcement, as well as corporate diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

• Immersive technologies can make virtual services and experiences available to people who would otherwise be unable to access them because of geographic distance.

• AR/VR devices and applications can serve as assistive technologies for people with disabilities, making physical environments more accessible by adding virtual elements.

• Multi-user AR/VR experiences enable otherwise isolated users to form communities and support systems beyond the bounds of physical distance.

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NEW ENTRY POINTS

“This time in history requires expanded access and new entry points for learning, education experiences, and innovation,” said Francis. “It requires corporations and school districts to partner to put resources and technology in the hands of our most marginalized and disadvantaged learners and, frankly, future leaders and innovators.”

- Stephanie Nashawaty, Chief Customer Innovation Officer at SAP North America.  Forbes, May 25th 2021

EARLY ADOPTION, STANDARDS, AND BEST PRACTICES

To maximize the benefits of AR/VR technologies, developers, policymakers, and organizations implementing them should consider a variety of user needs from the outset. Government should lead by example as an early adopter of inclusive AR/VR, and it should and establish standards and best practices for equity and inclusion in immersive experiences across sectors.

Principles and Policies to Unlock the Potential of AR/VR for Equity and Inclusion. Ellysse Dick, June 1, 20-21