New tool enhances VR accessibility for people with limited mobility

The development of MotionBlocks followed a three-phase process: 

1. User insights: 
   Ten individuals with physical disabilities were invited to share their experiences and challenges while playing VR games. Their feedback served as a foundation for the tool’s design.
   
   
2. Development of MotionBlocks: 
   Based on those insights, the team created a customizable tool that reinterprets controller inputs. Instead of requiring large gestures, MotionBlocks translates smaller, user-defined motions into in-game actions. 
   
   "It’s a bit like how traditional video games allow you to remap your controls, but our method is much more customizable and works in 3D space," said Dr. Daniel Vogel, professor at the David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science at Waterloo.
   
   
3. Testing and feedback: 
   Eight study participants tested the system and reported significant improvements: more enjoyment, less physical strain, and a stronger sense of inclusion in the VR environment. 

MotionBlocks doesn’t just simplify control schemes; it creates new possibilities for participation in virtual environments. 

"VR games are a lot of fun, and they’re important social spaces, especially for younger generations," said Johann Wentzel, lead author and recent PhD graduate. "As soon as you have an application that isn’t accessible to everyone, you’re functionally excluding people with disabilities from these social spaces."

By mapping small, manageable movements – such as a circular hand motion on a tabletop – to large virtual actions, MotionBlocks bridges the gap between physical ability and digital interaction. The tool empowers users to play on their own terms. 

Although there are no commercial plans to release MotionBlocks at this stage, the research team sees it as a proof of concept for future integration. 

"I’d like to see a motion accessibility feature like this integrated into every VR system on the market," Wentzel said. "Everyone deserves to be able to access VR in a way that works for their needs."

REHACARE.com; Source: University of Waterloo