Hyperspace Inclusive Design

Inclusive design, also known as universal design, is an approach we use to create the platform that helps make it accessible and usable by people of all abilities, ages, and backgrounds. We aim to ensure that everyone, regardless of their physical or cognitive abilities, can engage with and benefit from the Hyperspace platform.

Inclusive design goes beyond traditional accessibility measures by considering the diverse needs and preferences of all users from the outset of the design process. This approach acknowledges that people have varying abilities, disabilities, and ways of interacting with the world, and seeks to accommodate these differences through thoughtful and inclusive design practices.

Key principles of inclusive design include:

1. Equitable Use: The design should be usable by people with diverse abilities, providing the same means of use for all users.
2. Flexibility in Use: The design should accommodate a wide range of individual preferences and abilities.
3. Simple and Intuitive Use: The design should be easy to understand, regardless of the user's experience, knowledge, language skills, or current concentration level.
4. Perceptible Information: The design should communicate necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of ambient conditions or the user's sensory abilities.
5. Tolerance for Error: The design should minimize hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions.
6. Low Physical Effort: The design should be usable efficiently and comfortably with a minimum of fatigue.
7. Size and Space for Approach and Use: Appropriate size and space should be provided for approach, reach, manipulation, and use, regardless of the user's body size, posture, or mobility.

Inclusive design benefits not only individuals with disabilities but all participants as a whole by creating more accessible, usable, and inclusive environments, products, and services. It promotes diversity, equality, and social inclusion by removing barriers to participation and ensuring that everyone can fully engage in activities and experiences.

Hyperspace Enterprise Grade Game Engine

Hyperspace has built the full metaverse stack from the ground up as a web platform.

This means our comprehensive plan and product roadmap is capable of fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion over the long term. Being in control of the full stack clearly defines responsibilities and facilitates quicker resolution of issues when they arise.

Accessibility and Reach

Hyperspace enables instant access to 3D/VR/AR experiences directly through web browsers, eliminating the need for downloads. This accessibility broadens audience reach significantly.

Cross-Platform Compatibility

Hyperspace seamlessly runs across various devices, from desktops to VR headsets, ensuring inclusivity and maximizing audience engagement.

Open Standards & Interoperability

Hyperspace is built to support open standards content, which promotes interoperability and prevents reliance on proprietary technologies. This openness ensures that organizations have more flexibility in choosing tools and platforms without being tied to a single vendor.

By leveraging web technologies, developers can tap into a vast ecosystem of libraries, frameworks, and tools that are not tied to a particular vendor. This flexibility enables developers to adapt and evolve their projects more easily over time, without being constrained by the limitations of a proprietary ecosystem.

Performance and Optimization

Leveraging advanced technologies like WebRTC, WebGPU and WebAssembly & WebXR, Hyperspace delivers quality visuals and smooth performance, rivaling traditional game engines like Unity and Unreal for audience reach.

Community and Collaboration

While still growing, the WebXR community fosters collaboration and offers resources, tutorials, and open-source projects to support developers in pushing the boundaries of immersive web experiences.

Cost-Effectiveness

Developing immersive experiences with Hyperspace is more cost-effective compared to using proprietary game engines, as it requires fewer licensing fees and overhead costs. Additionally, the inclusion of existing web-based content leads to higher ROI, user engagement and monetization opportunities through various revenue models.

Downsides of Building inside Non-Web Platforms

Hyperspace is entirely web-based and not restricted by the rules or limitations imposed by other platforms—examples include Unity, Unreal, Decentraland, Roblox, Fortnite, Meta (formerly Facebook), Microsoft, and Apple.

Hyperspace is designed with a focus on delivering quality experiences rather than fostering addiction for the sake of generating consumer revenue.

Downsides of Unity and Unreal

Unity and Unreal Engine, while powerful, often require a steep learning curve, especially for beginners or those without prior experience in game development.

These engines lack the inherent accessibility of Hyperspace, requiring users to download and install additional software to access 3D/VR/AR content.

Deploying experiences created with Unity or Unreal Engine across multiple platforms can be complex and time-consuming, potentially limiting audience reach.

In summary, while Unity and Unreal Engine offer powerful tools for VR/AR development, Hyperspace's accessibility, cross-platform compatibility, and performance optimization present compelling advantages, supported by a growing base of enterprise developers and enthusiasts.

Avatars

diversity inclusion

Hyperspace’s UniversalAvatars have over 1 billion style combinations for diversity and inclusion as well as a library of role specific items for work simulations.

Accessories like glasses, hats, and jewelry that can be chosen to represent personal preferences and identities.

Body

diversity inclusion

Options for body types and proportions to allow for a more inclusive representation of different physical characteristics.

Generational diversity

diversity inclusion

Generational diversity in avatars encompasses a range of age-related features, including facial lines and gray hair. Avatars can be designed to reflect the natural aging process, incorporating subtle facial lines to denote maturity and life experiences. Additionally, the inclusion of gray hair can further enhance the representation of different age groups within virtual environments. By incorporating these features into avatars, developers can promote inclusivity and authenticity, allowing users to express their age diversity and identities more accurately.

Gender expression

diversity inclusion

Gender expression is provided through non-binary body and clothing selection.

By design avatars do not have genitalia.

Mature items

diversity inclusion

Although provocative clothing items are available in the full library they are tagged as adult and not included in default avatar selection items.

Ethnicity / Cultural expression and identification

diversity inclusion

Customizable clothing options that cater to different styles, cultures, and identities. Contact support to configure available items.

Faces

diversity inclusion

A selection of face shapes are available in a variety of skins, eyes, makeup and accessories.

Hair

diversity inclusion

A selected range of natural, styled and artificial colored hairstyles including options for different hair textures and lengths from the full library are included by default. Contact support to enable additional items.

While we aim to be inclusive, it's important to acknowledge that we can't feature every hairstyle in a way that respects everyone's preference, cultural backgrounds and sensitivities.

Note: the images below are samples only, hair styles can be applied across body types and support non-binary.

Skin

diversity inclusion

Over 40 various skins including those representing different ethnicities and races.

Skin conditions such as acne and vitiligo are available.

Eyes

diversity inclusion

Over 30 eye color and design variations

Differently abled expression

Avatar accessories like hearing aids, prosthetic limbs, and wheelchairs empower differently abled individuals to express themselves in virtual environments, fostering inclusivity and representation.

Prosthetics

Legs, hands, arms

Mobility

Wheelchair, walking frame, cane (navigation support eta Q424)

Limb differences

Hyperspace R&D are experimenting with features for avatars with limb differences for healthcare simulations.

Hearing aids

Legacy hardware

equity means

The Hyperspace platform’s 3D engine and services are highly optimized to support legacy hardware ensuring that individuals or organizations with lower income or older hardware can still be included and have access to the platform, promoting fairness and equity.

Low bandwidth

equity means

The Hyperspace platform’s services are designed to accommodate low-bandwidth internet connections ensuring that individuals or organizations with limited access to high-speed internet can still be included and utilize the software, promoting fairness and inclusivity.

Dress code

inclusion 

Some organizations have a dress code. The library of avatar items is tagged so sets of clothing types can be included or excluded. For example, business casual, business professional, formal etc. Contact support to configure available items.

Religious expression

inclusion

All avatar items representing religion are tagged and can be included in a world. Contact support to configure available items.

Employers should establish clear policies regarding religious expression in the workplace to ensure consistency and avoid ambiguity in their application and treatment.

For further guidance on religious expression see U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Pronouns

diversity inclusion

Hyperspace is dedicated to fostering a platform that supports diversity and inclusivity, recognizing gender pronouns can cultivate a supportive environment for individuals of all gender identities. If the feature has been enabled for the world you are visiting, you will have the option to include your gender pronouns in your profile, empowering others to address you respectfully.

This feature is voluntary, you can opt to share your gender pronouns if you wish. Please note that members won't be able to search for you based on your pronouns.

1. Click the the top left menu
2. Choose Profile
3. Enter your pronouns
4. Click the Save button

Other users will be able to see these when looking at your profile by

1. Clicking a participants avatar
2. Click the Open profile button

The profile will appear with the participants details

Accessibility audit

accessibility sight hearing

In regard to accessibility, Google Lighthouse evaluates a web page's adherence to accessibility standards and guidelines such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). It checks for elements like proper HTML structure, use of semantic markup, keyboard accessibility, contrast ratios for text and background colors, presence of alternative text for images, and other factors that impact the accessibility of the website.

Lighthouse provides a detailed report with suggestions on how to improve accessibility, making it a valuable tool for developers and designers striving to create more inclusive and accessible web experiences.

Although meeting web accessibility compliance is good, this does not always mean that a 3D experience delivers qualitative accessibility in practice. Standards for accessibility in immersive environments are still very much a work in progress with industry standards bodies and best practices currently being defined. See the Resources & Reference section for more information.

On Demand Evergreen Spaces

accessibility 

Always open spaces allow consuming materials in advance so participants can read and process them at their own pace

Text Chat

hearing dyslexia sight non-verbal 

Text-based chat for communication increases the amount of accessibility for people with hearing impairments.

Text chat can also be read by screen readers.

Chat history allows participants to browse prior communication at their own pace.

Voice Chat

accessibility hearing sight 

All participants in an audio conference call are kept at the same volume level for improved clarity.

Audio Zones

hearing neurodiversity sensitivity 

Audio zones enable participants to break into smaller one-on-one or group conversations enabling greater focus and less distractions.

Dial In

accessibility sight 

Dial in support works as a backup for audio configuration issues and allows audio attendance for those unable to join or see via a flat screen or XR device. Some limitations apply.

Video Conference

sight 

Broadcast screens have a zoom-in feature allowing a participant to get much closer to the video stream or screenshare. Additionally any content in between where the participant is located is hidden when zoomed-in to provide maximum visual access to streamed or presented content.

High Quality Pre-uploaded Content

sight 

Real time streaming has the downside of weighing frame rate against image quality. To ensure maximum resolution and quality of content it can be pre-uploaded.

Slideshows are processed and rendered at multiple resolutions meaning crisp text is visible when zoomed-in.

Videos are converted to HLS video format enabling higher resolution for appropriate bandwidths.

360 videos have an option to support preloading and cached pre-loading before the experience begins to maximize quality.

User Interface (UI)

diversity  multilanguage 

UI languages currently supported are English, French and Spanish, Japanese, Portuguese, Ukrainian for platform menus. The platform uses well-known language agnostic icons for broader reach.

The default language for a space or world can be set in the dashboard settings.

Content

diversity  multilanguage 

Uploaded content may be in any language.

Multiple language content can be uploaded, tagged and switched according to a participant's selected language.

ChatMapper authoring tool enables branching scenarios with multiple language translations.

Text to Speech

diversity inclusionaccessibility sight multilanguage 

Bots and AI NPCs can speak/read text in 50+ languages.

Speech volume is kept at a consistent level for clarity.

The platform’s unique text to speech solution is available on all devices and in many cases uses zero bandwidth.

The default text-to-speech language/accent can be set in space and world settings.

Based on gender selection (if any) text to speech voices are automatically assigned in scenarios. A neutral text to speech voice selected when gender is set to “Don’t specify”. This applies to participants and to bots.

Speech Recognition

accessibility  multilanguage 

Bots and AI NPCs can recognize speech in 50+ languages.

Speech recognition is used for:

• choice selections in branching scenarios
• real-time natural language conversations with AI chatbots
• transcribing text onto sticky notes
• generative AI and asset instantiation (experimental)

Live Interpretation and AI Speech Translation

diversity sight  multilanguage 

Through partnership with Interprefy & Kudoway real-time audio translations and subtitle translations are available. Real-time auto transcription.

Subtitles / Closed Captions

accessibility hearing  multilanguage 

Real-time captions are displayed when bots are speaking using text-to-speech, with pre-recorded audio for scenarios built with ChatMapper and for live presentations (using Interperfy).

Real-time captioning and subtitles in VR/AR are designed to:

• Follow the user’s gaze in a fluid manner without reacting to micro movements
• Not intersect with content in the experience
• Not compete with content to keep the participant’s attention focused
• Not be too lengthy

VR closed captions are displayed when bots are speaking using text-to-speech and also with pre-recorded audio for scenarios built with ChatMapper.

VR closed captions for live presentations are available in combination with the Interperfy service.

Notifications

accessibility hearing  multilanguage 

Notifications in VR/AR are designed to:

• Follow the user’s gaze in a fluid manner without reacting to micro movements
• Not intersect with content in the experience
• Not compete with content to keep the participant’s attention focused
• Not be too lengthy

Sign Languages

accessibility hearing  multilanguage 

Through partnership with Kudoway real-time 147 different sign languages, including American Sign Language, British Sign Language, Mexican Sign Language, Chinese Sign Language and International Sign Language

Readable fonts

accessibility sight dyslexia 

• Sans serif fonts and fallbacks are used so letters appear less crowded

• -apple-system
• BlinkMacSystemFont
• Segoe UI
• Roboto
• Helvetica Neue
• Arial
• Noto Sans
• sans-serif

• Font size is 16-20 point, browser zoom is supported so dyslexic readers can enlarge the font.
• Inter-letter / character spacing / tracking and inter-word spacing are kept standard which improves readability.
• Underlining and italics are avoided as this can make the text appear to run together and cause crowding.
• Bold text is used for emphasis.
• Use of all capital letters or uppercase letters for continuous text is avoided.

Headings and structure

accessibility sight dyslexia 

• Use of headings and styles to create a consistent structure to help participants navigate through the UI.
• A font size of 20 points is used for headings that is 25% larger than the normal text. If further emphasis is required, bold is used.
• Formatting tools are used for text alignment, justification, indents, lists, line and paragraph spacing to support assistive technology users.
• Extra space is added around headings and between paragraphs.
• Hyperlinks look different from headings and normal text.

Colors

accessibility sight dyslexia 

• Single color backgrounds are used. Background patterns or pictures and distracting surrounds are avoided.
• Sufficient contrast levels between background and text are used.
• Light colored text on a dark background is used for readability.
• UI elements using green or red/pink are avoided, as these colors are difficult for those who have color vision deficiencies (color blindness). Native support for color blindness filtering is available in some operating systems.
• Bright colors such as white are avoided as it can appear too dazzling especially in VR.
• Preference is given to matt objects rather than glossy objects as specular highlights can be distracting.

Layout

accessibility sight dyslexia 

• Text is left aligned (or right aligned depending on language), without justification. This makes it easier to find the start and finish of each line and ensures even spacing between words.
• Multiple columns are avoided (eg. as used in newspapers).
• Sentences are written to be short and simple targeting 60 to 70 characters.
• White space is used to remove clutter near text and group related content.
• Text is broken up with regular section headings in long documents and include a table of contents such as guides.

Writing Style

accessibility sight dyslexia 

• Write inclusively
• Active voice is preferred over passive voice.
• Writing is concise and avoids using long, dense paragraphs.
• Writing is  in simple, clear language using everyday words.
• Images are used to support text.
• Bullet points and numbering are used rather than continuous prose.
• Instructions are written clearly.
• Double negatives are avoided.
• Abbreviations are avoided where possible, the expanded form is provided when first used.

Screen Readers

accessibility sight dyslexia 

Screen readers are supported for 2D UI elements, notifications etc

• Microsoft Windows Narrator, NVDA and JAWS
• macOS VoiceOver
• Chromebook ChromeVox

Although screen readers can not understand what is presented on a 3D canvas, Hyperspace is exploring experimental support for 3D scene understanding to render web standard accessibility metadata for screen readers. (eta Q424)

AI Guides

accessibility sight hearing 

Speaking AI guides with closed captions can be triggered automatically when entering an experience for the first time and on subsequent visits by clicking on the guide.

Gaze / Head Pointer VR Interaction

accessibility 

Gaze interaction in VR lets you interact with objects by looking at them, rather than using buttons or controllers.

Support for gaze is available when hand controllers are inaccessible, not available or out of battery.

Snap-Turning

accessibility sensitivity 

Snap turning in VR is when your viewpoint instantly rotates by a fixed angle when you press a button, instead of smoothly turning. It's used to avoid motion sickness by reducing perceived motion.

Is available using the left and right arrow keys, or in immersive mode with the left and right thumbsticks.

Motion Sensitivity

accessibility neurodiversity sensitivity equity 

Hyperspace has accommodations for participants with sensory sensitivities, specifically VR has been designed to minimize motion sickness.

Consideration has been made for those sensitive to vertigo, claustrophobia or motion sickness.

• Multi device cross platform access means a user can choose the device and surroundings that works best for them. For some, sitting in a comfy lounge chair with a tablet may be more helpful than sitting at a desk with a widescreen monitor or putting on a VR headset.
• Walking is available on flat screen devices, in immersive VR instant teleportation is used instead
• Zooming in on mediaboards is avoided in VR, moving the camera for participants in VR can make them nauseous
• Some people can feel nausea from seeing movement on a screen like watching a 3D video game or camera movements in TV shows

• It is recommended to:

• Participate in a seated position
• Participate on a flat screen device
• Try to sit a little further from the screen
• Reduce the size of the 3D browser window to a quarter of the screen size and position it in the center of the screen
• Navigate using hotspots rather than click to walk
• Turn using the keyboard arrow keys rather than click and drag

Sensory / Quiet / Mindfulness Room

accessibility neurodiversity  sensitivity 

Hyperspace offers a sensory / quiet room and mindfulness room template aimed at mitigating overstimulation and crowd avoidance through low instancing. These sensory rooms have shown to be beneficial for individuals with autism, bipolar conditions, depression, ADHD, autism spectrum characteristics, and PTSD..

Moods

inclusion 

Mood expression as part of diversity and inclusion acknowledges and respects the variety of emotions individuals may show. It involves creating a safe space where people can authentically express their feelings without fear of judgment. This fosters empathy, understanding, and a sense of belonging.

When selecting an avatar mood it may reflect in facial expression, poses and walking style.

Training Platform

equity 

The platform enables leveraging your existing L&D resources inside 3D environments to upskill and re-skill individuals for continuous career advancement.

DEI Training Courses

Along with platform capabilities for DE&I Hyperspace has produced a range of self-paced AI courses for employees and learners to practice and learn about DE&I in the workplace. Contact Hyperspace about a commercial subscription.

Contact Us

Contact us if you have a particular accessibility or inclusion initiative that you’d like us to explore with you.

Resources & Reference

Core Standards & Organizations

1. A11y The A11y Project is an open-source initiative focused on promoting web accessibility. It provides resources, tools, and guidelines to help developers create websites and applications that are more inclusive and usable for people with disabilities.
2. Section 503 This section prohibits federal contractors and subcontractors from discriminating against individuals with disabilities and requires them to take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment qualified individuals with disabilities.
3. ADA compliance (Americans with Disabilities Act Standards for Accessible Design)
4. WAI-ARIA enhances web accessibility by providing attributes that help assistive technologies interpret web content for people with disabilities.
5. WCAG Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (the standard referenced in legislation including Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, the European Union (EU) Public Sector Directive, and the EU Accessibility Act)
6. XR Access is related to promoting accessibility in Extended Reality (XR) experiences. It provides resources, guidelines, or advocacy efforts aimed at ensuring XR technologies are accessible to people with disabilities.

W3C Accessibility Standards

1. XAUR: XR Accessibility User Requirements: This document outlines the needs and requirements of users with disabilities in virtual reality, immersive environments, augmented reality, mixed reality, and related XR technologies.
2. SAUR: Synchronization Accessibility User Requirements: Summarizing pertinent research, this document delineates user needs and associated requirements for synchronizing audio and visual media in multimedia content, including captions, sign language interpretation, and descriptions. Applicable to both general multimedia and real-time communication in immersive environments.
3. NAUR: Natural Language Interface Accessibility User Requirements: Outlining user needs, requirements, and scenarios related to accessibility for natural language interfaces.
4. RAUR: RTC Accessibility User Requirements: Detailing accessibility-related user needs, requirements, and scenarios for real-time communication.
5. Accessibility of Remote Meetings: This document addresses accessibility considerations in remote and hybrid meetings, particularly those facilitated by real-time communication software leveraging Web technologies.
6. CTAUR: Collaboration Tools Accessibility User Requirements: Describing accessibility-related needs, requirements, and scenarios for collaboration tools, particularly those supporting real-time editing, comments, annotations, and revision control.
7. MAUR: Media Accessibility User Requirements: Presenting accessibility requirements for users with disabilities concerning audio and video content on the web.
8. Core Accessibility API Mappings 1.2: This document defines how user agents should expose web content language semantics to accessibility APIs, aiding users with disabilities in accessing and interacting with information using assistive technologies. It covers keyboard navigation support and mapping of roles, states, and properties provided in web content via WAI-ARIA.
9. Graphics Accessibility API Mappings: This specification outlines how user agents map WAI-ARIA Graphics Module markup to platform accessibility APIs, aiding user agent developers in ensuring the accessibility of graphics.
10. Accessibility considerations for the WebXR Device API: WebXR scenes make enforcing accessibility features tough, but there are various best practices, libraries, and extensions to improve accessibility.

Further Reading and Guidelines for XR Accessibility

1. Game Accessibility Guidelines: This serves as a comprehensive resource for inclusive game design, adaptable for XR applications.
2. Meta Quest – Designing Accessible VR Experiences: A set of guidelines tailored for creating accessible VR experiences. Covers UX/UI, controls, movement, display, app design, audio, and captions.
3. Magic Leap – Best Practices for Accessibility: Compilation of best practices for crafting accessible AR experiences, covering aspects like hearing, subtitles, visual elements, and mobility.
4. Apple Vision Pro – Best Practices for Accessibility: Compilation of best practices for crafting accessible spatial computing experiences, covering aspects like hearing, subtitles, visual elements, and mobility in visionOS.
5. Applying 10 Usability Heuristics to Virtual Reality: Adapting Jakob Nielsen's 10 usability heuristics for interface design to the realm of virtual reality.
6. An Examination of VR Accessibility by IllegallySighted: A presentation exploring challenges and potential solutions for low-vision VR users, circa 2017.
7. Barriers Browser Report by BBC: Focuses on motor and cognitive barriers faced by individuals with disabilities when using VR.
8. SpoonieVR Accessibility Chart: A collaborative spreadsheet initiated by individuals with disabilities to assess the accessibility of various VR games and applications.
9. Designing for Accessibility in VR/AR by Alexandria Heston: A concise overview of accessible design within XR, featured in Heston's comprehensive guide to VR and AR design.
10. Accessibility Matrix by Schell Games: A developer resource offering guidance on making VR games more accessible.
11. The Importance of Inclusivity in XR Workplace Tools by XR Access: Outlines why organizations transitioning to XR technologies need to prioritize disability inclusion and accessibility.
12. IEEE Global Initiative on Ethics of Extended Reality: A report addressing ethics-related concerns to promote inclusive development, design, and deployment of XR applications, with a focus on diversity, inclusion, and accessibility.
13. Microsoft Inclusive Design Toolkit: The Microsoft Inclusive Design Toolkit equips designers and developers with resources to create inclusive products and experiences for all users.