Steve Hansen, Associate Professor, School of Computing & Mathematics, University of Western Sydney, Campbelltown. 2560, Email: s.hansen@uws.edu.au

Keywords

Web 2.0, Accessibility, Second Life, MUVEs, 3D Worlds, Virtual Worlds, Hepatic devices, 3D sound interaction

Abstract

This paper provides a review from the current academic and popular literature of current initiatives in providing alternative user interfaces for virtual worlds. Second Life as a current popular 3D online multiuser virtual environments (MUVEs) is looked at in particular. These initiatives are to address various accessibility issues for the visual, hearing and motion impaired rather than in the areas of intellectual or cognitive. These initiatives cover the use of variable sound for 3D simulation, hepatic devices working with other senses, use of speech to text, enriched multi-media environments and alternate client software.