As exciting as the Metaverse sounds, only you and I can see it! And why is this? Well, I will tell you a short story about how I broke my “Blind” friend’s heart.

"Have you ever seen the Metaverse?" my friend, Sophia, asked me one day. "It's like the real world, but better. You can do anything you want, be anyone you want, and go anywhere you want, all without leaving your home."

I smiled politely, but inside, I felt a pang of sadness. You see, I am blind. I have never seen the real world, let alone a virtual one. While Sophia was ecstatic about the possibilities of the Metaverse, I couldn't help but feel left out.

As she rambled on about the immersive experiences and endless opportunities, I couldn't help but wonder and asked her: “what would it be like to experience the Metaverse without sight?”

This question striked a burning desire and set me on an endless research journey which is a product of this article you are reading NOW!

What is the Metaverse?

The idea of the Metaverse has been around for decades, but recently, it has gained popularity as more and more companies invest in its development. Simply put, the Metaverse is a virtual world where people can interact with each other, participate in games, attend events, and do all sorts of things. At its core, the Metaverse is a place where people can escape reality and enter a new realm of possibilities. However, for people like Abbey who are visually impaired, the idea of a virtual world may seem daunting, if not impossible.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that there are currently 2.2 billion people worldwide who are visually impaired, and 5% are blind. That's a significant percentage of the world population. Now, what if the Metaverse could be designed to include all abilities, not just those who can see? What if there was a way for blind people to experience the Metaverse in a meaningful and immersive way? The Metaverse relies heavily on visuals to create an immersive and engaging experience for its users. In this virtual world, visuals such as graphics, animations, and videos play a critical role in bringing the environment and its inhabitants to life. The use of high-quality visuals not only enhances the user's overall experience but also allows for a more seamless and natural interaction within the metaverse. However, it is defined as a place where everyone is welcome, allowed to be themselves, and who they want to be. Hence the need for inclusive design.

Solution for Accessibility In the Metaverse and Crypto Space

For visually impaired individuals, the Metaverse presents a unique set of challenges. Navigating a virtual world without visual cues can be disorienting and difficult, and accessing crypto assets can be particularly challenging. Without visual confirmation, it can be difficult to authenticate transactions and manage assets securely. In all honesty, most web3 UI/UX designs are not entirely friendly to navigate even with clear sights.
Thankfully, companies are beginning to focus on making the Metaverse and crypto more accessible to visually impaired individuals. Here are some tools that can be leveraged to achieve this.

Screen Readers

This technology has been successfully used in other media such as movies and TV shows and has recently been easily implemented in the Metaverse. In the latest survey conducted by WebAIM, an organization that focuses on providing web accessibility solutions at Utah State University, it was revealed that the adoption rate of screen readers has risen significantly in the past three years. The survey shows that the usage of screen readers has grown from 12% to 72% over this period. Screen readers can make the metaverse more accessible for visually impaired users through various features. Audio descriptions can describe objects, characters, and environments to help users understand their surroundings and interact with others. Most popular screen readers, such as NVDA and JAWS, can be used in conjunction with the Metaverse. This allows visually impaired individuals to navigate the Metaverse and engage with crypto without any visual cues. For example, a visually impaired individual can use a screen reader to read out trading data in a crypto trading platform in the Metaverse.

Text-to-Speech/Braille Displays

Text-to-speech technology can convert text-based information into speech, facilitating communication, feedback, and information access. VR/AR headset could be when the user is exploring a virtual environment using the headset. When users come across a sign or text-based object, the text can be read aloud to them through the headset's built-in speakers or headphones. The screen reader technology within the headset can convert the text into synthesized speech, which can then be played back to the user, allowing them to navigate the virtual environment more easily. This feature can also be applied to chat messages, notifications, or other forms of text-based communication within the virtual world, enabling the visually impaired user to communicate more effectively with other users. Several companies have developed screen readers and other assistive technologies to enhance accessibility in the metaverse for visually impaired users. One such company is Microsoft, its SeeingVR project, which is a collaborative effort between researchers at the University of British Columbia, York University, and Microsoft Research. The project aims to develop accessibility features for VR headsets, including text-to-speech and audio descriptions, to make the Metaverse more inclusive for visually impaired users.

Haptic Feedback

Six-degree tracking and haptic feedback are technologies that can aid visually impaired users in the metaverse. Six-degree tracking tracks a user's head movements in six degrees(up, down, left, right, forward, and backward) of freedom and provides audio or haptic feedback to help users navigate and interact with the virtual environment. It includes vibrations, pressure, or other physical cues that give the user a sense of their environment or interactions in a virtual or augmented reality experience. This technology can be leveraged in the Metaverse to provide tactile feedback during navigation and interactions, making it more accessible for blind users. By simulating the sensation of walking with a cane or guide dog, haptic feedback can help users to understand the layout of different virtual spaces and avoid obstacles. It can also provide tactile cues to indicate the presence of virtual objects, guiding blind users in virtual shopping experiences and helping them make informed decisions. This can be particularly useful during crypto transactions, where the user needs to confirm the amount and destination of the cryptocurrency transfer. The haptic feedback provides the amount of cryptocurrency transferred, through a series of vibrations that correspond to the amount of currency. For instance, if a user wants to transfer 10 units of bitcoin, the haptic feedback device could provide 10 distinct vibrations, each representing one unit of cryptocurrency. This way, the user can have a tactile representation of the amount of cryptocurrency transferred, which can help them confirm that the transaction is proceeding as intended. CryptoSense a Neosensory Buzz SDK haptic software has been developed for crypto trading and is a promising solution that can be leveraged by visually impaired users to engage in crypto transactions.

Voice Assistants

Voice assistants such as Alexa or Google Assistant can be integrated into the Metaverse's interface to allow a seamless experience. Examples include providing verbal cues and directions for navigation, where a user could ask their voice assistant to take their Avatar to a specific location in the Metaverse, and the assistant could provide turn-by-turn directions. Also, Voice Assistance can be leveraged for social interaction. For example, a user could ask their voice assistant to introduce them to other users or join a group chat. What's more? Voice assistants can aid social interaction in the metaverse. A user can simply ask its VA to describe the features and help them navigate the purchasing process of an item in a shopping experience in the Metaverse.

Audio-Based Games and Experiences

The Metaverse experience is heavily gamified, As per the analysis conducted by Market Statsville Group (MSG), the global market for the Metaverse in Gaming is expected to witness significant growth, with a projected increase from USD 26.7 billion in 2021 to USD 478.5 billion by 2030, at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 37.8% between 2022 and 2030. However, this gamification poses a challenge for visually impaired users who are unable to fully participate in the roller coaster of gaming experiences. Audio-based gaming experiences in the metaverse will significantly enhance the gaming experience for visually impaired users. By leveraging advanced audio technologies, users will be able to navigate their virtual surroundings and interact with other players using sound cues. This approach will provide visually impaired individuals with a fully immersive and engaging gaming experience, on an equal level with that of sighted users. For instance, The scenario of an audio-based gaming experience may involve a visually impaired player in a virtual reality game set in a post-apocalyptic world. The player relies on advanced audio technologies to navigate through the game, including sound and voice assistant cues for directions, object locations, and interacting with other players. “The Vale” is a fully audio-based action-adventure game that allows visually impaired players to navigate a medieval world using only sound cues.

Community & Education

Community building and education are essential aspects of creating an inclusive Metaverse for visually impaired users. In a decentralized and interconnected world, the community plays a vital role in keeping the machine running smoothly. By building a community of visually impaired users within the Metaverse, we can provide support, guidance, and mentorship to newcomers, while fostering a sense of belonging and shared experience to navigate the complex and rapidly evolving Metaverse together. This community can offer a space where users can share their experiences and tips for navigating the Metaverse, discuss specific challenges that users may face, and offer support and encouragement to those who may feel isolated or marginalized in traditional gaming communities. In addition to community building, education is key to creating an inclusive Metaverse. By educating developers and designers on the needs of the visually impaired, we can ensure that the Metaverse is designed with accessibility in mind from the start. This includes user experience design and making sure that game features are accessible to everyone, regardless of their visual ability. By prioritizing accessibility in the development process, we can create a Metaverse that is truly inclusive for all.

Security Challenges With Accessibility

As the metaverse becomes an increasingly popular space for social interaction and financial transactions, it is important to consider the accessibility challenges that visually impaired users may face. One significant challenge is the potential security risks associated with managing digital assets in the metaverse. With the reliance on visual cues and interfaces, visually impaired users may struggle to securely manage their assets without relying on the assistance of others. This can not only create additional barriers to access but also raise concerns about privacy and financial security.

• Multi-factor authentication (MFA): is a widely used security measure that can significantly enhance the protection of user assets in the Metaverse. While a password or PIN is a single-factor authentication method, using two or more methods with MFA makes it much harder for attackers to breach a user's account. For example, a hacker may be able to guess or obtain a user's password through phishing or brute force, but with MFA, they would also need access to the user's phone or hardware key to gain access. Moreover, MFA can also provide an extra layer of security in case a password or PIN is compromised. For visually impaired users, MFA can be made accessible through various methods such as text-to-speech, braille display, or voice recognition. The use of MFA can give users greater confidence in the security of their assets and make it more difficult for hackers to gain unauthorized access.

• Voice biometrics: Voice biometrics is a technology that uses a person's unique vocal characteristics to verify their identity. One of the most significant advantages of voice biometrics is that it is not dependent on visual cues. This makes it an ideal security solution for visually impaired individuals. With voice biometrics, a user's voiceprint is recorded and stored securely. When the user needs to authenticate a transaction, their voice is compared to their stored voiceprint to verify their identity. By using a voiceprint, individuals can authenticate their transactions with their voice, providing an additional layer of security that is not dependent on visual cues. This can include sounds or voice prompts that indicate a transaction has been completed or a login attempt has been made.

• Auditory cues for security alerts: Security alerts are an essential aspect of asset protection in the Metaverse. it is important to note that visual cues such as pop-up notifications or flashing lights are not accessible to visually impaired users. Without auditory alerts, visually impaired users may not be aware of suspicious activity on their accounts or unauthorized access to their assets, leaving them vulnerable to security breaches. By incorporating auditory cues, visually impaired users can receive real-time updates on their account activity and take appropriate actions to secure their assets.

• Community: community support can also be a valuable resource for visually impaired users to enhance the security of their assets. Being part of a community can provide access to a network of experienced traders, developers, etc who can offer guidance and support. This can include sharing best practices for asset protection, identifying potential security threats, and offering tips for safely navigating the Metaverse and cryptocurrency space. Additionally, the community can serve as a sounding board for users who may have questions or concerns about the security of their assets.

  Benefits of Accessibility in the Metaverse and Crypto Space

  The development of solutions for accessibility in the Metaverse and Crypto space has become increasingly important in recent years due to the rising demand for inclusive and diverse virtual experiences. Additionally, implementing solutions is a win-win situation for both brands and users.

  For Brands:

  • Companies and brands will attract and retain more users who prioritize accessibility and inclusivity.

  • Access new markets and demographics, such as the untapped people with disabilities.

  • Boost innovation and creativity by tapping into the needs and perspectives of a diverse user base.

  • Create a more welcoming and enjoyable environment for all users, regardless of their abilities.

  • Brands can leverage more security design that helps in asset management.

For Users:

• Users will enjoy a more immersive and engaging experience in the Metaverse, which will lead to increased socialization and networking opportunities.

• Users who desired to access and work in the metaverse will have a wider range of employment and entrepreneurial opportunities to explore in the Metaverse.

• This will enable users to be a part of something fulfilling while giving access to independent life by managing their assets and participating in the Metaverse without relying on others for assistance.

• Improve their overall quality of life by accessing more information, entertainment, and services in a way that suits their needs and preferences.

Closing Thoughts

The Metaverse has the potential to be a truly immersive and inclusive space where people from all walks of life can come together, regardless of their physical abilities. While the development of assistive technologies such as screen readers, text-to-speech, and haptic feedback is a step in the right direction, much work must be done to make the Metaverse accessible to everyone. Developers and designers need to consider accessibility from the outset and prioritize it throughout the development process. By doing so, we can create a Metaverse that is not only more inclusive but also more innovative, as diverse perspectives lead to new ideas and opportunities. As discussed earlier, using technology to analyze emotions and translate non-visual cues into auditory or tactile feedback is one way to enhance the accessibility of the Metaverse for visually impaired users. By designing these technologies with accessibility in mind and training them on a diverse range of emotions and body language cues, we can create a more immersive and engaging virtual environment that is accessible to everyone.