Accessibility

Entering the Metaverse

Felipe Salas Accessibility, Technology, Uncategorized 0 Comment

The Evolution of the Web

The evolution of the World Wide Web is divided into three stages: Web 1.0, Web 2.0, and Web 3.0. Prior to learning about this, I thought about the evolution of the web as a series of steady changes that, along with technological and programming innovation, led to new features being available for users. However, now it is clear to me that there were certain changes more significant than others which explain the division of its evolution in these three stages. Web 1.0 was characterized by personal web pages, mostly static in nature. Ads on web pages  were banned and, as a content delivery network (CDN), it allowed users to easily retrieve information. This stage approximately lasted between 1991 and 2004.

Web 2.0, also called the participative social web, refers to websites which highlight user generated content, usability, and interoperability for end users. Although the transition from Web 1.0 to Web 2.0 did not involve any technical modifications, the wain in which web pages were designed changed to allow for interpersonal interactions and collaboration. Web 2.0 was especially characterized by browser technologies. In Web 2.0, several online tools and platforms were made available for people to share information. These included blogs, tags, social networks, and social media.

Web 3.0 represents the evolution of web usage and interaction, emphasizing the transformation of the web into a database. It incorporates Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT), with blockchain being a notable example. Data in Web 3.0 is shared rather than owned, and it enables the creation of Smart Contracts tailored to individual needs. One key aspect of Web 3.0 is the Semantic Web, which aims to organize information more logically than current search engines like Google. This approach allows machines to understand and reason about information, moving beyond simple keyword matching.

Virtual Reality

Virtual reality (VR), along with augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR), is a type of extended reality (XR) a term used to refer to all immersive technologies that merge the physical and digital worlds. Virtual reality allows its users to be immersed in simulated digital environments. The use of a VR headset is required for users to experience a 360-degree view of an artificial world designed to fool their brain into believing they are actually there. The potential applications of VR have led prominent business magnates in the technology sector, like Mark Zuckerberg, to envision a “Metaverse”.

The concept of the metaverse is not new, it was first used in 1992 by author Neal Stephenson in his sci-fi novel Snow Crash. It envisions a virtual realm where billions of people live, work, shop, and interact, all from the comfort of their home. Instead of traditional computer screens, users enter a 3D virtual world, which resembling real life but enhanced. Avatars are used to represent individuals, and they seamlessly transition between various experiences, carrying their identities and assets with them. However, it’s important to note that, despite the expectation, the metaverse is not yet a reality.

I created an Adobe Express presentation about the use of VR for education. I go over the applications of VR in the classroom and its benefits for students as well as some of the challenges that may be encountered in its implementation. Click the link below to check it out.

Virtual Reality For Education Presentation

Accessibility Concerns

One of the most relevant accessibility concerns that arises with virtual reality is the lack of consideration for some people with physical disabilities, who will not be able to use this technology. The main component of VR, and what makes it immersive, is a headset which delivers audiovisual content. Although people with hearing impairments may still be able to get an immersive experience through visuals, people with visual impairments will not be able to have an immersive experience at all. Also, many headsets available in the market are controlled by hand-held devices. People with absent or physically impaired limbs will not be able to use them. Another concern regarding accessibility is cost. The VR headsets currently available in the market are expensive, which increases the cost of  implementing this technology. Although it may be beneficial for different purposes, the technology is so costly that only few individuals and institutions are willing to invest in VR.

Spreading Awareness: Digital Accessibility

Felipe Salas Accessibility, Technology 2 Comments

This week, I started module 2 of my Webpage Technologies course, which covers Digital Accessibility. Prior to the start of this module, I was unaware of the issues surrounding the lack of accommodations available for people with disabilities within digital spaces. Something that I learned and up to that point had failed to understand, is that the fact that I am able to easily navigate through online content does not mean that it is that way for everyone.

Introduction to Digital Accessibility

No matter the factors involved, digital spaces are meant to work for everyone. However, not all digital spaces are equally accessible; the way they are designed and coded determines how accessible they are. According to The World Wide Web Consortium’s (W3C) Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI), which provides a variety of technical and educational resources, web accessibility encompasses auditory, cognitive, neurological, physical, speech, and visual disabilities. Although many digital spaces have began efforts in an attempt to become more accessible, the truth is that most of these efforts are limited  either by the lack of knowledge of web developers and designers or by the investment that following accessibility guidelines poses in comparison to not doing so.

The range of accessibility that exists among different spaces the consequence of no guidelines being enforced. Although the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) requires web content to be accessible for state and local governments as well as for businesses open to the public, there’s no specific set of guidelines or level of accessibility to be met. In physical spaces, accessibility is enforced with specific measures, however, it is not the same for digital spaces, which makes finding a fully accessible website a true challenge.

Digital Accessibility Explained

Digital accessibility refers to making digital documents, websites, and apps accessible to everyone. The short video below explains in detail how the 57 million Americans with disabilities experience web content and the alternate methods they use to navigate it. It also covers the main characteristics of accessible websites and apps as well as the W3C’s Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

The Importance of Digital Accessibility

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 1.3 billion people or 16% of the world’s population self-identify as having a disability. This makes people with disabilities the largest minority group worldwide. Although the main purpose of digital accessibility is accommodating individuals within this group, we must also consider the benefits that digital accessibility has for people without disabilities. As human beings, we cannot escape from aging. As we get older, it becomes increasingly difficult for us to perform certain tasks as effectively as we used to. In our lives, we may also experience “temporary disabilities”  that impair us from performing tasks the way we regularly do. Overall, it is certain that, to some extent, we all benefit from digital accessibility.

Promoting a Culture of Inclusion

The best way to encourage the sense of social responsibility regarding accessibility to digital spaces is spreading awareness. I admire the work that the W3C is doing to make digital accessibility the norm. Although it requires good planning, designing, and coding to develop an accessible digital space, it all starts by becoming familiar with everything that digital accessibility encompasses and its importance. As the world becomes more technological and digitally-oriented, accessibility is a factor that we cannot leave aside. Accessibility should not be an after thought but an element to consider from the start in every project regarding digital spaces. I believe that learning about digital accessibility is essential for everyone since it can be applied in any context where digital resources are involved. This blog post is my way of spreading awareness about this topic which I consider to be of upmost importance. I hope you find this information useful and I encourage you to share it with others.