Collaborative Research: HCC: Small: Supporting Flexible and Safe Disability Representation in Social Virtual Reality

NSF Award Search · 01002324DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT · $299,783 · view on nsf.gov ↗

Abstract

Social Virtual Reality (VR) is an emerging social medium, where a user immerses in a 3D virtual space in the form of an avatar and interacts with others via speech and body gestures. This technology can improve the social life of people with disabilities (PWD) since it simulates the real-world "face-to-face" social experience and can mitigate barriers to interaction that PWD can face in the physical world. The use of avatars also allows PWD to flexibly express their identity, curating desired social images that may be more or less connected to their disabilities. However, current social VR platforms are immature in supporting inclusive identity representation for PWD, in terms of how well avatars' appearance, sounds, and behavior can support desired self-representations. Moreover, even effective tools for identity expression can lead to stigma and risks for PWD due to the lack of well-established social norms in social VR and the stigma PWD often suffer. This project promotes inclusion and equity for PWD by investigating how to support flexible and safe disability representation in social VR. By studying PWD's experiences and preferences through close co-design work, the project team will make both theoretical and technical contributions, including design guidelines for inclusive disability expression, theoretical models of risks for PWD in social VR, and technologies and toolkits that mitigate those risks. This project aims to facilitate an inclusive and harmonious so

Key facts

NSF award ID
2608524
Awardee
Johns Hopkins University (MD)
SAM.gov UEI
FTMTDMBR29C7
PI
Yaxing Yao
Primary program
01002324DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
All programs
Cyber-Human Systems, SMALL PROJECT, REU SUPP-Res Exp for Ugrd Supp
Estimated total
$299,783
Funds obligated
$187,130
Transaction type
Standard Grant
Period
10/01/2025 → 01/31/2027