Building Accessibility Into Our Mixed Reality Products

Rhea-AI Summary

Meta recently partnered with people with disabilities and disability advocates to integrate accessibility into their mixed reality technology. This co-design approach aims to prioritize real-life user experiences, center the needs of historically underserved communities, and build trust. The company believes this strategy will create better product experiences for everyone, citing the 'curb cutting' effect where solutions designed for specific groups often benefit a wider audience.

Meta acknowledges there's still much work to be done to make mixed reality more inclusive and establish new industry standards. By collaborating with communities often overlooked by technology, Meta aims to enable everyone to thrive in the metaverse. This approach not only drives real-world impact but also unlocks new possibilities in product development.

Positive

• Proactive approach to inclusive design for mixed reality products
• Potential for improved product experiences benefiting a wider user base
• Building trust and relationships with historically underserved communities

Negative

• None.

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / September 10, 2024 / Meta
By Maxine Williams, Global Chief Diversity Officer

Takeaways

• We recently partnered with people with disabilities and disability advocates to integrate accessibility into our mixed reality technology.

We believe the best products are built by working with the communities we serve. We recently invited people with disabilities and accessibility advocates to co-design solutions with our product teams to enhance the accessibility of mixed reality technology.

These co-design efforts help us deliver universal value for our users by:

• Prioritizing real-life user experiences: Co-designing products with diverse communities helps us ground our design in real-life user experiences, test design assumptions and prioritize solving for user needs.

• Centering the needs of historically underserved communities to benefit everyone: When we co-design with historically underserved communities, we can create products that drive benefits for all. This is called the "curb cutting" effect. Curb cuts on sidewalks were originally designed for wheelchair users, but ultimately also benefit parents with strollers, cyclists and pedestrians. Similarly, designing mixed reality technology with people with disabilities and accessibility advocates can help us build solutions that benefit everyone.

• Building community: Co-design requires building deep relationships based on trust and mutual respect. When we co-design products with diverse communities, we not only create products that more people can use, but also develop trust with users that are often left behind by technology.

This co-design not only drives real-world impact, it also unlocks new possibilities, creating better product experiences for everyone. We recognize that we still have a long way to go to make mixed reality more inclusive, establishing and iterating on new industry standards. Co-designing solutions earlier in the development process will enable everyone to thrive in the metaverse. We are dedicated to collaborating with communities that have historically been overlooked by technology, as we believe that, together, we can achieve greater things.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Meta on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:
Spokesperson: Meta
Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/meta
Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Meta

View the original press release on accesswire.com

FAQ

How is Meta (META) improving accessibility in its mixed reality products?

Meta is partnering with people with disabilities and disability advocates to co-design solutions for their mixed reality technology, integrating accessibility features from the early stages of product development.

What is the 'curb cutting' effect mentioned in Meta's (META) accessibility initiative?

The 'curb cutting' effect refers to how designing solutions for specific groups (like wheelchair users) often benefits a wider audience. Meta applies this concept to their mixed reality technology, believing that designing for people with disabilities will create better experiences for all users.

What are the main benefits of Meta's (META) co-design approach for mixed reality accessibility?

The main benefits include prioritizing real-life user experiences, centering the needs of historically underserved communities, building trust with users often left behind by technology, and creating product experiences that benefit a wider range of users.

Is Meta (META) planning to establish new industry standards for mixed reality accessibility?

Yes, Meta acknowledges that there's still work to be done in making mixed reality more inclusive and plans to establish and iterate on new industry standards for accessibility in this technology.