How the Design of Immersive Environments Impacts Inclusion
Partnership on Employment & Accessible Technology
September 07, 2022
Immersive environments can have a high cost to entry – especially for people with disabilities. If the developers of immersive environments do not consider accessibility, they could exclude people from fully participating in the environment. The next time you set up a meeting or other collaboration in an immersive environment, ask yourself, “Is the environmental design inclusive?” Your attendees will thank you.
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Tags: AR/VR, Diversity and Inclusion, Metaverse
5 Takeaways From The 2021 XR Access Symposium Report
Partnership on Employment & Accessible Technology (PEAT)
July 22, 2021
What if a construction company could use virtual reality to train employees on worksite hazards from the safety of a conference room? Or an expert wind turbine technician could use augmented reality to guide on-site technicians through repairs, despite being in a different country?
These scenarios are now possible due to the ever-growing use of extended reality (XR) in the workplace. XR is an umbrella term for virtual, augmented, and mixed realities. As more workplaces adopt XR, we need to ensure these technologies are built accessible from day one.
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Tags: AR/VR, Diversity and Inclusion, Future of Work
Measuring public-transport accessibility using pervasive mobility data
IEEE Pervasive Computing
November 15, 2012
How accessible is public urban transportation for people with disabilities? What are the metrics for measuring such accessibility? Using pervasive mobility data, the authors evaluate the quality of service for travelers in need of accessible public transportation in London.
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Tags: Diversity and Inclusion, Mobility, Smart Cities
Accessible self-service kiosks can help companies innovate
Future Travel Experience / APEX
May 02, 2011
Traveling for business or pleasure isn’t what it used to be. In order to develop and maintain brand loyalty while streamlining operations in an increasingly competitive global market, travel and transportation companies are challenged to transform their business processes and integrate new forms of customer-facing technology. Self-service kiosks have played an important role in this transformation.
However, while self-service kiosks have the potential to improve the traveler experience by making traveling easier, quicker, and more enjoyable, some travelers who have physical disabilities may experience barriers when trying to use them.
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Tags: Customer Experience, Diversity and Inclusion, Smart Cities
Watercooler to Headset? The Future of Workplaces
SXSW Conference
March 12, 2023
Immersive technology has helped transform warehousing and inventory management, product engineering and design, job training and upskilling, and virtual healthcare patient monitoring. It also shows promise for creating accessible experiences and inclusion for all people. Not only has XR-powered workspaces transformed enterprise management, it has gone the extra mile in removing hurdles for persons with disabilities. Inclusive design in immersive technology has created a universal experience that integrates tools that all users can enjoy. Join panelists for a live demo of XR technology, and a discussion on the road ahead for the future of work.
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Tags: AR/VR, Future of Work, Metaverse
Virtual reality and Inclusion: What does non-visual access to the metaverse mean?
Sight Tech Global
December 07, 2022
People with disabilities and accessibility advocates are working to make sure the metaverse is accessible to everyone. This panel will delve into research on the challenges current virtual and augmented reality tools create for people who are blind or have low vision.The panelists will share their experiences using immersive technologies and explore how these tools can be used to enhance employment opportunities in hybrid and remote workplaces – but only if they are built with inclusion in mind.
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Tags: AR/VR, Diversity and Inclusion, Metaverse
Designing & Developing for DEI + Accessibility
AWE Conference 2022
June 21, 2022
I served as moderator of a panel at AWE 2022 with Speakers: Stephanie Montgomery (XRA.org), Dylan Fox (XRAccess.org), and Nirav Desai (Moonbeam.ai). DESCRIPTION: As designers and developers build AR and VR hardware, applications, and content, how can they make sure they are inclusively designed so that everyone - including those who identify as people with disabilities - can access, enjoy and benefit from them? How can AR and VR designers and developers leverage inclusive design and development practices to consider many aspects of human diversity such as ability, language, culture, gender, and age? What are some of the broader benefits of designing more accessible AR and VR such as broader usability for people with temporary impairments or people in different environments and use cases? In this session, panelists will explore these and other topics related to XR Accessibility as well as share a variety of practical community XR accessibility design and development resources.
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Tags: AR/VR, Diversity and Inclusion, Metaverse
Advancing a Disability-Inclusive Metaverse
Gatherverse Summit 2022
February 22, 2022
As the metaverse evolves, everyone should be able to design, develop and participate in it – including people who identify as people with disabilities. Disability intersects with all other dimensions of human diversity. Leveraging the knowledge, skills, and lived experiences of people who are multiply marginalized can help us build more accessible technology, content, and experiences for the metaverse. This discussion will explore these topics by gathering together leading thinkers advancing disability inclusion and accessibility of XR and immersive technologies.
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Tags: AR/VR, Diversity and Inclusion, Metaverse
Workplace of the Future: New Accessibility Imperatives, Gaps and Opportunities Offered by New Technologies
M-Enabling Summit 2021
October 05, 2021
Setting a clear roadmap towards the workplaces of the future is an increasing challenge for many organizations, especially after the rapid shift to virtual environments and remote working triggered by the pandemic. This panel will examine key data on workplace transformations, technology drivers that are likely to accelerate and how they may be best leveraged by organizations in various sectors and workplaces configurations.
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Tags: AR/VR, Diversity and Inclusion, Future of Work
Accessibility & Accommodations: How employers and HR professionals can prepare for emerging tech in the workplace
Partnership on Employment & Accessible Technology / Job Accommodation Network
June 28, 2021
Emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual and augmented reality (XR), will shape the workplace of the future. They will change how organizations hire, train, and support employees, including those with disabilities. This session, produced in collaboration with JAN and the Partnership on Employment & Accessible Technology (PEAT), will introduce the potential impact of emerging tech on accommodations. Participants will learn how employers and HR professionals can help plan for an accessible workplace of the future, including the procurement of accessible technologies and potential accommodation needs of people with disabilities. PEAT, funded by the Office of Disability Employment Policy, U.S. Department of Labor, will interview technology leaders to find out how AI and XR will change the way we work and what these technologies could mean for the employment of people with disabilities.
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Tags: AI, AR/VR, Future of Work
#mEnabling21 Virtual Leadership Briefing Series M-Enabling Forum Dach, Virtual Leadership Briefing, October 7, 2021 October 7, 2021 M-Enabling Forum DACH – Online Conference October 7, 2021 from 14-17 CEST The Potential of Digital Accessibility 14:00-14:10 Welcome and Introduction Regine Ge
M-Enabling Summit - Virtual Leadership Briefing Series
April 21, 2021
The Acceleration of Innovation in Inclusive Virtual Workplaces for Persons with Disabilities. Looking for clarity on how to create an inclusive workplace with the influx of virtual platforms and new digital services? During this webinar, learn how organizations of all types are innovating in making virtual workplaces inclusive of Persons with Disabilities, and how this is accelerating a broad move towards more inclusive virtual work environments in the future. Bill Curtis-Davidson was a panelist offering the Government’s Perspective: What Opportunities the Future of Work Holds?
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Tags: Digital Transformation, Diversity and Inclusion, Future of Work
Untapped Aptitude – How Tech Helps Drive Disability Inclusion
Techonomy Media, Inc.
October 30, 2020
The conversation featured Guy Tonye, chief engineer at cross-platform voice app developer and integrator Zammo, John Robinson, CEO of Our Ability Inc., a unique company that specializes in helping disabled people find employment, and Bill Curtis-Davidson, AI Lead for the Partnership on Employment & Accessible Technology (P.E.A.T.) initiative at the U.S. Department of Labor. These three experts explored how voice technologies and in particular artificial intelligence (AI) provide unique new opportunities for workers with disabilities.
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Tags: AI, Diversity and Inclusion, Future of Work
Extended Reality Accessibility
M-Enabling Summit 2019
June 19, 2019
This session will review Extended Reality (XR) applications, wearable devices and services which provide users augmented views (AR) of their real-world environment or virtual reality experiences (VR) perceived across multiple senses, including visual, auditory, haptic, somatosensory, and olfactory. The session will consider both the applicability of XR technologies for assistive solutions and the accessibility of mainstream XR applications for persons with disabilities.
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Tags: AR/VR, Diversity and Inclusion, Emerging Technology
Tailoring AI Systems to Avoid Bias and Promote Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility
SHRM Annual Conference
June 13, 2023
Platforms that leverage artificial intelligence (AI) may carry risks of bias and discrimination against underrepresented groups - but they also hold the potential to make talent acquisition more inclusive. Recent research with disability-led startups and other diverse stakeholders across industry and advocacy circles has identified key innovations and inclusive practices to avoid bias and discrimination and improve enterprise-wide Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) hiring and retention goals. This session will discuss best practices for assessing AI platforms and working with vendors to ensure compliance with legal obligations, while also leveraging new innovations to recruit and retain talented individuals from underrepresented groups. Organizations that embrace these best practices can create an organizational culture of inclusion where everyone can advance and thrive, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or disability.
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Tags: AI, Diversity and Inclusion, Future of Work
Introduction to the XR Access Symposium 2022 Keynote (Accenture) - Inclusive XR at Scale: The Nth Floor
XR Access Initiative
July 29, 2022
I provided an introduction (along with Elizabeth Hyman, CEO of XR Association), to a keynote by Accenture called, "Inclusive XR at Scale: The Nth Floor" by Marisol Villena Salerno and Jacque Madison (Accenture). In their keynote presentation, Accenture Marisol Villena Salerno and Jacque Madison explain how they create inclusive XR experiences for Accenture's employees.
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Tags: AR/VR, Diversity and Inclusion, Metaverse
Equitable AI in the Workplace
CSUN Assistive Technology Conference 2022
April 07, 2022
PEAT’s Co-directors Corinne Weible and Bill Curtis-Davidson joined Phill Jenkins from IBM for a CSUN session discussing artificial intelligence (AI) and the opportunities and challenges it poses when used in the workplace.
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Tags: AI, Diversity and Inclusion, Future of Work
Inclusive XR Technologies Enable DEIA in Hybrid Workplaces
CSUN Assistive Technology Conference 2022
March 17, 2022
PEAT’s Co-director Bill Curtis-Davidson and Emerging Technologies Lead Ashley Coffey joined Stephanie Montgomery from the XR Association for a CSUN session on how accessible extended reality (XR) technologies can be used to enhance DEIA in hybrid workplaces.
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Tags: AR/VR, Diversity and Inclusion, Metaverse
Breakout: How to Bake Accessibility into XR-Based Training Apps
XR Association
November 04, 2021
Exploring how organizations developing or adopting XR training can integrate best practices for accessibility into design, development, and implementation processes.
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Tags: AR/VR, Diversity and Inclusion, Future of Work
Lightning Round: Priorities for an AR/VR Policy Agenda
Information Technology & Innovation Foundation (ITIF) and XR Association
October 21, 2021
In the last decade, augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) have evolved from niche tools for enthusiasts and high-tech industries to more widely adopted communications technologies that have the potential to transform the way people communicate, collaborate, and learn. As AR/VR solutions gain traction across sectors, they will raise important policy considerations-some of which are already a part of broader tech policy discussions, while others will be unique to these technologies.
Through a series of expert talks and panels, this half-day virtual conference organized by the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation and the XR Association explored the role of policy in AR/VR innovation and identify priority areas for policymakers to consider as these technologies continue to expand.
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Tags: AR/VR, Diversity and Inclusion, Future of Work
A Brave New World: Immersive Technologies and the Future of Work
Accessibility.com Accessibility Plus 2021 Conference
October 14, 2021
Extended Reality (XR) and immersive technologies are poised to reshape how businesses work. At its core, XR joins digital content with the physical world. As organizations accelerate their digital transformations, they can use XR to engage employees and customers in new ways and realize benefits such as improved job training and enhanced collaboration. To ensure people with disabilities can fully participate in this “brave new world”, XR tools must have accessibility features by design. In this talk, Bill Curtis-Davidson will share perspectives on this topic and outline broader community efforts to make sure XR technologies are “born accessible."
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Tags: AR/VR, Diversity and Inclusion, Future of Work
AI Fairness for Persons with Disabilities in Workplace Technologies
International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP)
August 17, 2021
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing workplaces, having advanced rapidly in recent years alongside innovations in big data, machine learning, and computing power. This webinar will outline how AI-enabled technologies are being used in the workplace to screen job applicants, streamline application processes, provide training, support virtual/in-person communication and collaboration, and more. AI is also powering exciting innovations in assistive technology for people with disabilities. While AI holds tremendous potential for both employers and employees to make workplaces more inclusive, it also carries risks for people with disabilities related to privacy, ethics, and bias. In this webinar, participants will learn about key AI fairness, employment policy, and usage challenges, as well as understand promising practices for responsible and inclusive implementation of AI-enabled workplace technologies.
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Tags: AI, Diversity and Inclusion, Future of Work
Disability-Led Innovation in Future Workplaces
SXSW
March 16, 2021
Imagine a global economy that actively works to level the playing field across race, gender and class, and which also considers disability, the one dimension of diversity that crosses all others. How can we inclusively design technologies like AR and AI, that will power future augmented workplaces, so we don’t exclude 1.3B people with disabilities (PWDs)? How can we leverage the creativity, skills, and experiences of PWDs to design more usable future workplace tech? What role will disability play in helping businesses gain a competitive advantage? These questions, along with examples of business strategies and inclusive emerging tech, will be explored by a diverse panel: emerging tech accessibility policy consultant, leading futurist, innovative business strategist, and startup founder.
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Tags: Diversity and Inclusion, Emerging Technology, Future of Work
Inclusive Telework, Today and Tomorrow
CSUN Assistive Technology Conference
March 12, 2021
Even pre-pandemic, telework was expanding. Learn existing resources to make telework more accessible, and help crowdsource ideas to make future virtual workplaces accessible by design.
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Tags: AR/VR, Diversity and Inclusion, Future of Work
Future Workplaces Enabled by Inclusive XR
CSUN Assistive Technology Conference
March 11, 2021
In future workplaces, XR technologies will be commonplace. Learn how platform providers and app developers are working to make XR accessible to employees with disabilities.
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Tags: AR/VR, Diversity and Inclusion, Future of Work
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Fairness for Persons with Disabilities in Workplace Technologies
ADA National Network
January 21, 2021
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing workplaces, having advanced rapidly in recent years alongside innovations in big data, machine learning and computing power. This webinar will outline how AI-enabled technologies are being used in the workplace to screen job applicants, streamline application processes, provide training, support virtual / in-person communication and collaboration and more. AI is also powering exciting innovations in assistive technology for people with disabilities. While AI holds tremendous potential for both employers and employees to make workplaces more inclusive, it also carries risks for people with disabilities related to privacy, ethics, and bias. In this webinar, participants will learn about key AI fairness, employment policy, and usage challenges, as well as understand promising practices for responsible and inclusive implementation of AI-enabled workplace technologies.
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Tags: AI, Diversity and Inclusion, Future of Work
Ideas for A11y Programs in XR Tech Companies
A11yVR Meetup
June 19, 2020
Various community-driven efforts are actively working to define accessibility user requirements, practices, and guidance for XR technologies and experiences. This talk will outline how XR technology companies can engage with these efforts and put in place accessibility programs to help make sure their products, content, and experiences are usable by the broadest number of users.
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Tags: AR/VR, Diversity and Inclusion, Innovation
The CVAA and Gaming: Your Legal Responsibilities
Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2018
March 14, 2018
In this 2018 GDC session, advocates Bill Curtis-Davidson and Mark Barlet break down the 21st Century Communications & Video Accessibility Act (CVAA) in understandable terms to help game developers create accessible experiences when designing great new games.
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Tags: Customer Experience, Diversity and Inclusion, Legal and IP
IBM Accessible Air Travel Kiosk
IBM Human Ability & Accessibility Center / U.S. Access Board
September 12, 2011
Presentation on the innovative IBM Accessible Air Travel Kiosk, delivered as an invited expert lecture on September 12, 2011 at the U.S. Access Board Public Meeting in Dallas, Texas.
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Tags: Customer Experience, Diversity and Inclusion, Smart Cities
From Talk to Transformation: Building a More Inclusive Metaverse
Automated wayfinding of an accessible route
Q&A With Bill Curtis-Davidson, Sr. Consultant for Emerging Tech Accessibility, Wheelhouse Group
