🗞 The Cyber-XR Coalition launches ‘Standards for Accessibility, Inclusion, Ethics, and Safety’
Last week, the Cyber-XR Coalition launched a ground-breaking new document- ‘Immersive Technology Standards for Accessibility, Inclusion, Ethics, and Safety’.
It’s a free, 72-page PDF, available to download here.
But what exactly is it about?
When we’re dealing with subject-matter as complex and sensitive as this, it’s difficult (and maybe even misleading) to try and simplify the Cyber-XR Coalition’s work into a quick, easy summary. (It’s best if you consult the PDF itself if you’re interested in engaging seriously with the topic). But we’ll do our best to give you an overview.
The short version? The document is a set of guidelines for the XR industry, providing concrete advice on how to build safer, more inclusive immersive technology. It collates findings from some of the industry’s foremost thought-leaders, marshalling all of their research and thinking into a useful asset for individuals and organisations who want the future of XR & Cybersecurity to be more safe, equitable, and diverse.
The more complex version? The document outlines ways that XR corporations and communities can be made safer and more inclusive by aiming to achieve ‘Human Centric Design’ — design and development principles based on Trust, Inclusion & Accessibility (TIA).
It also promotes the idea that companies must develop a ‘culture of care’ — an internal integrity, respect for standards and regulations, an understanding of the impact that technology can have on people — and more broadly - a sense of care for humanity.
The document then goes on to explain that organisations can operationalise their commitment to achieving a safer, more diverse and inclusive future for XR by focusing on four key areas of work:
- Accessibility
- Diversity & Inclusion
- Ethics & Awareness
- Trust & Safety
Why has this document been created? Why now?
The document was created because, in Cyber-XR Coalition’s own words, ‘emerging trends call for emerging mindsets’. We live in a world of rapidly developing technology — where XR has a potentially huge impact on the well-being of humans across the world. It’s essential that we make sure that such technology is subject to ethical standards.
This is crucially important during current times (when social distancing has made virtual/digital technology even more prominent). As more and more people use technology to live out their daily lives during the pandemic, we need to make efforts to expand access to the world of XR and mitigate risks any XR might pose.
Where can I find out more?
You can download the document here.
You can find out more information about the Cyber-XR Coalition here.
Follow them on Twitter here.
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