The “Why” of Accessible XR

XR is on the cusp of becoming mainstream with the potential to change the way people learn, live, and work across the world. What’s more, these technologies stand to radically impact the lives of all citizens. For the one in four U.S. adults living with a disability, new tools hold the promise of removing long-standing barriers to education, employment, and community engagement.

The unemployment rate for people with disabilities is more than double the unemployment rate for people without disabilities. As it relates to the workplace, XR could help create a more diverse and inclusive environment, support mission-critical functions, increase productivity, and remove barriers to employment and career advancement. Many people with disabilities, however, will be left behind if these emerging technologies aren’t designed to be accessible—lacking opportunities available to those not living with a disability.