Furthering Visual Accessibility with Extended Reality (XR): A Systematic Review

Abstract

Over the past decade, extended reality (XR) applications have increasingly been used as assistive technology for people with low vision (LV). Here we present a systematic literature review of 216 publications from 109 different venues assessing the potential of XR technology to serve as not just a visual accessibility aid but also as a tool to study perception and behavior in people with low vision and blind people whose vision was restored with a visual neuroprosthesis. These technologies may be used to visually enhance a person's environment for completing daily activities, train LV participants with residual vision, or simulate either a specific visual impairment or the artificial vision generated by a prosthetic implant. We also highlight the need for adequate empirical evaluation, the broadening of end-user participation, and a more nuanced understanding of the suitability and usability of different XR-based accessibility aids.

Semantic Communications for 6G Future Internet: Fundamentals, Applications, and Challenges

“…In 5G, AR, Virtual Reality (VR) as well as Tactile Internet have been applied in many cases, such as entertainment, autonomous vehicles, and healthcare [101]. Extended reality (XR) is an umbrella term that encompasses VR, AR, Mixed Reality (MR), and other immersive environments that have not yet been invented [102], [103]. In the past few years, the development of sensing technology and computing power has led to tremendous advances in all aspects of XR hardware.…”

Immersive Virtual Reality Simulations of Bionic Vision

“…The use of virtual reality has emerged as a tool for assisting users with low vision (see [26] for a review of recent literature). This includes not just accessibility aids, but also simulations aimed at understanding low vision.…”

“…However, most SPV studies simply present stimuli on a computer monitor or an HMD, without taking into account eye movements, head motion, or locomotion [26]. This leads to a low level of immersion [25,36], which refers to technical manipulations that separate the existence of the physical world from the virtual world [34].…”

“…Moreover, a recent literature review found that most SPV studies relied on phosphene models with a low level of biological realism [26]. It is therefore unclear how the findings of most SPV studies would translate to real bionic eye users.…”

Application of Spatial Cues and Optical Distortions as Augmentations during Virtual Reality (VR) Gaming: The Multifaceted Effects of Assistance for Eccentric Viewing Training

“…Thanks to recent technological advances, extended reality (XR) technology, which includes virtual and augmented reality, has seen a rapid increase in its use as a rehabilitation technique to assist low vision patients [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ].…”