Abstract
The ongoing MiRA project consists of an interactive system based on a perspective illusion that can virtually complete exhibited artifacts, providing a Mixed Reality experience without the use of head-mounted devices (HMDs). This paper explores the possibilities of adopting such an interaction paradigm to the needs of users with special needs, non-conforming to social standards. The accessibility of museums, websites, and user interfaces has received a lot of attention. However, because there has been little or no research on the accessibility of interactive museum installations, this contribution is a useful source of information about how to approach XR. Mixed research methods have been used, from qualitative methods in the system design phase to quantitative methods in the MR field for usability and accessibility. A total of 50 studies on accessibility and social inclusion were selected, in both museum and extended reality contexts, identifying three intervention categories: disabled, elderly, and neurodivergent people. Furthermore, the research revealed a series of accessibility guidelines that were applied to the current project to identify areas for improvement. Although the MiRA system’s use of a depth camera and projections suggested an approachable interaction for any type of visitor, this study discovered numerous gaps in its accessibility. To make the proposed system of interactive museum projections accessible to visitors with specific needs, rules extrapolated from the fields of accessibility in museums, videogames, and user interfaces were applied. The observations made in this study will be implemented in future work for a more accessible service.
Presenters
Miriam SavianoPhD Student in Service Design for Public Sector, Pianificazione Design e Tecnologia dell'Architettura, Sapienza University of Rome, Roma, Italy Lorenzo Imbesi
Full Professor, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy Viktor Malakuczi
Assistant Professor, Department PDTA, Sapienza University of Rome, Roma, Italy
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Mixed Reality, Interactive Design, Disability, Elderly, Neurodivergence, Accessibility, Museum
