The Need for an Inclusive Virtual Shopping Experience for Visually Impaired Users

In the last two blogs, we talked about the offline shopping and the online shopping journey of VIP. Building on that foundation, we now turn our attention to the unique journey of visually impaired people (VIP) in VR environments. While VR shopping holds immense potential for creating immersive and accessible shopping experiences, research in this domain, particularly for VIP, remains scarce. Our analysis of existing studies reveals only one paper that directly addresses VR shopping for VIP, highlighting a significant gap in research. This blog post delves into the behaviors of VIP in VR shopping, the challenges they face, and offers recommendations for improvement.

Behaviors of VIP in VR Shopping

The limited research available suggests that VIP rely heavily on auditory and tactile feedback when navigating VR shopping environments. Features like voice guidance and audio cues play a crucial role in helping VIP locate products, understand product details, and complete purchases. For instance, voice guidance can provide real-time feedback, such as announcing when a user has moved to a specific product section or describing the features of an item. High-contrast visuals and customizable color settings can aid those with partial vision, making it easier to interact with the VR environment. Additionally, simplified navigation methods such as (instant movement to a selected location) and mini-map warp movements (quick navigation to desired locations via a mini-map) lessen physical exertion and spatial confusion.

However, VIP often face challenges in fully engaging with VR shopping platforms due to the lack of intuitive design and accessibility features.

Challenges Faced by VIP During VR Shopping

VIP encounter several barriers in VR online shopping. These challenges include:

1. Navigation and Spatial Orientation

   While teleportation and mini-map warp features aid navigation, VIP often struggle with spatial orientation in 3D environments. The lack of consistent auditory or tactile cues makes it difficult to mentally map the virtual store layout. Features like product placement on hangers, desks, or mannequins are visually distinct but lack equivalent non-visual identifiers (e.g., audio labels), leaving VIP disoriented.

2. Inadequate Voice Guidance

   Voice prompts often omit detailed product information (e.g., texture, size variations), forcing VIP to rely on incomplete data for decision-making. While voice interaction is a crucial accessibility feature, the lack of customization options, such as adjusting verbosity or selecting preferred auditory feedback reduces its effectiveness.

3. Limited Support for Product Interaction

   Unlike sighted users who rely on visuals, VIP also need alternative ways to "feel" and assess a product. Current VR shopping platforms lack robust haptic feedback mechanisms that simulate texture, weight, and flexibility of items. This makes it challenging for VIP to judge the quality and suitability of products.

4. Non-Inclusive Tutorials and Interfaces

   The avatar-based fitting feature, while innovative, relies on visual feedback. Additionally, tutorials designed for sighted users (e.g., visual demonstrations of controller use) exclude VIP. Audio-based tutorials or guided practice sessions are rarely integrated, making it harder for VIP to navigate VR shopping spaces independently.

Towards an Inclusive Virtual Shopping Experience

To bridge these gaps, VR shopping platforms must integrate universal design principles that prioritize accessibility. Here are some key recommendations:

1. Enhanced Audio Feedback and Customization

   1. Implement adjustable voice guidance, allowing users to choose between concise or detailed descriptions.

   2. Introduce sonic landmarks, where distinct audio cues signal different sections of the virtual store.

   3. Enable voice commands for product searches, comparisons, and purchases.

2. Haptic and Multisensory Integration

   1. Incorporate haptic gloves or wearable feedback devices that allow users to "touch" virtual products.

   2. Use 3D audio positioning to provide spatial cues, helping VIP identify product locations.

3. Improved Navigation Features

   1. Develop a smart navigation assistant that provides continuous guidance and route suggestions.

   2. Implement object recognition technology to help VIP locate items using real-time audio descriptions.

4. Inclusive Tutorials and User Support

   1. Offer audio-based onboarding tutorials for first-time users.

   2. Design accessible UI elements with larger fonts, high contrast, and screen reader compatibility.

5. Collaboration with VIP Users

   1. Engage VIP communities in the design and testing phases to ensure real-world usability.

   2. Conduct usability studies to refine VR interfaces based on VIP feedback.

The Future of Inclusive VR Shopping

With advancements in AI-driven accessibility and multisensory VR experiences, the future of virtual shopping for VIP holds promise. However, inclusivity must be embedded from the outset—not treated as an afterthought. By integrating customizable voice guidance, haptic feedback, intelligent navigation, and inclusive UI design, VR shopping can become a truly accessible experience for all.

As the adoption of VR shopping continues to grow, it is imperative for retailers and developers to recognize the importance of accessibility. Investing in inclusive design not only benefits VIP but enhances the overall shopping experience for diverse user groups.

Reference

• Lee, D., Kim, H.K. and Park, J., 2024. Design and verification of universal virtual shopping store application. Virtual Reality, 28(4), pp.1-19.