What are the best practices for ensuring accessibility and usability of VR for older adults?

1 Universal design

Universal design is an approach that seeks to make products and environments accessible and usable for a wide range of people, regardless of their age, ability, or situation. This approach can be especially beneficial for VR developers and designers creating experiences for older adults. To this end, some universal design principles that can be applied to VR include simplicity, flexibility, safety, and comfort. VR should be easy to understand and operate with clear instructions and feedback. It should also accommodate different preferences and abilities of users by allowing them to adjust the level of difficulty or provide alternative modes of interaction. Moreover, VR should minimize the risk of physical or psychological harm to users by providing cues and warnings for potential hazards. Lastly, it should ensure that users are comfortable during the VR experience by providing ergonomic and adjustable equipment while also considering environmental factors such as lighting, temperature, and noise.

2 User-centered design

User-centered design is an approach that involves the users throughout the design and development process of a product or service, to ensure that it meets their needs and expectations. VR developers and designers can benefit from user-centered design to create experiences that are relevant and engaging for older adults. To do so, they should research the characteristics, goals, and challenges of older adults, such as their physical, cognitive, and emotional abilities. Inviting them to participate in co-design sessions can help generate ideas and feedback from the users' perspective. Finally, it is important to evaluate the effectiveness and satisfaction of VR experiences for older adults through quantitative or qualitative methods.

3 Content and context

Content and context are two important aspects that can influence the accessibility and usability of VR for older adults. Content encompasses the information, stories, and activities presented in the VR experience, while context is the situation, environment, and purpose associated with it. For content and context to be suitable for older adults, they should be relevant to their personal or social issues, such as health, wellness, or loneliness. Additionally, they should also be culturally and linguistically appropriate by respecting their values, beliefs, and norms. Engagement is also key; VR content and context should be engaging and enjoyable by providing variety, challenge, and feedback. Moreover, they should be immersive and realistic to create a sense of presence, agency, and emotion. Finally, VR content and context should be adaptable and personalized so that users can choose or modify the experience according to their preferences and abilities. They should also be responsive and dynamic by adjusting to the user's behavior, performance, or feedback.

4 Training and support

Training and support are two essential elements that can facilitate the accessibility and usability of VR for older adults. Training refers to instruction and guidance provided before, during, or after the VR experience, while support is assistance and feedback from other people or systems. To ensure these elements are tailored and accessible for older adults, they should consider factors such as familiarity, clarity, and availability. For example, familiar concepts, metaphors, or analogies should be used alongside familiar devices such as smartphones or tablets. Additionally, the language should be simple and direct with consistent and coherent information to avoid ambiguity. Finally, multiple flexible options should be provided such as online, offline, or on-demand with timely assistance and feedback to avoid interruption or distraction.

5 Ethical and legal issues

Ethical and legal issues are two important considerations that can affect the accessibility and usability of VR for older adults. Ethical issues refer to the moral and social implications of VR, such as privacy, consent, or dignity, while legal issues refer to the regulatory and contractual obligations of VR, such as data protection, copyright, or liability. To ensure ethical and legal issues are addressed and respected for older adults, transparency, protection, and empowerment should be considered. Developers and designers should be transparent with older adults by informing them about the purpose and risks of the VR experience, as well as disclosing how they collect and use user data. Protection should be ensured by making sure the VR experience is safe and secure. Empowerment should be demonstrated by recognizing autonomy and agency of older adults, allowing them to control the VR experience, and acknowledging their contribution.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?