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XR Access Initiative

2020+ Strategy

November 2020 - Community Preview

XRAccess.org

(see this alternative document format)

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Contents

  • Background & Statement of Needs
  • Strategy Development Approach
  • Strategy Committee
  • Overview of 2020+ Strategy
    • Purpose & Values
    • Stakeholders & Example Partners
    • Mission & Vision
    • Proposed Work Streams
    • Proposed Engagement Teams
    • Proposed Organization
    • Proposed Funding Model
  • Community Review & Feedback
  • Contacts

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Please Note

  • This strategy presents a set of ideas for evolving the XR Access Initiative, documented to get feedback from the community.
  • The strategy will be finalized after feedback is complete.
  • Implementing the strategy will require funding and resources not yet in place; Thus, there is no promise or commitment to the outlined activities.

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Background

  • Since its founding in July 2019, XR Access Initiative has been led by the �Connected Experiences Lab at Cornell Tech and Verizon Media, with support from �the Partnership on Employment and Accessible Technology (PEAT).
  • Key accomplishments during our first year
    • Membership of 200+ participants from broad range of stakeholder groups like associations (e.g. XRA.org), universities, consultants (e.g. Open Inclusion, Booz Allen Hamilton), platform tech companies, developers
    • Conducted two annual Symposia, including most recently in July 2020 drawing over 400 people
    • Completed a stakeholder analysis and use cases to drive work of the initiative
    • Coordinated with university based and nonprofit researchers working on XR accessibility
    • Collaborated with industry standards development organizations exploring XR accessibility user and technical requirements
    • Organized and facilitated monthly meetings of 6 working groups, producing variety of work products
    • Delivered numerous industry presentations, webinars and conference presentations
    • Provided input to development of The Accessibility Playbook For Emerging Technology Initiatives, developed by the Partnership on Employment & Accessible Technologies

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Community Statement of Needs

  • The 2020 XR Access Symposium helped define community needs and directions for the initiative, including:
    • Centering people with disabilities in XR technology design and development.
    • Collaborating with standard development organizations on accessibility user requirements and practices for hardware, platform software, and content.
    • Fostering connections between users, standards development organizations, associations and platform companies.
    • Exploring research questions to advance our shared understanding of the needs of users with disabilities as well as the business case for XR accessibility in traction industries.
    • Promoting inclusive design for immersive and XR technologies in educational institutions as well as in the broader industry and ecosystem.

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Strategy Development Approach

  • Analyze the ambitious list of goals documented in the 2020 XR Access Symposium Report.
  • Form and engage a multi-stakeholder Strategy Committee (see next slide) to drive development of the strategy.
  • Weekly strategy sessions and offline work to develop this strategy, define options for organization and funding models.
  • Drafting of a strategy summary (this document) and form to collect feedback.
  • Refinement and finalization of the strategy.
  • Enter implementation phase of the strategy.

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Strategy Committee

  • Larry Goldberg, Verizon Media
  • Dr. Shiri Azenkot, Cornell Tech
  • Jessie Garrett Taft, Cornell Tech
  • Bill Curtis-Davidson, PEAT
  • Dylan Fox, D. R. Fox Design
  • Christine Hemphill, Open Inclusion
  • Elizabeth Hyman, XR Association
  • Samantha Soloway, Verizon Media
  • Joel Ward, Booz Allen Hamilton

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2020+ Strategy Overview

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Our Purpose

Our organization’s purpose / reason for being…

  • We are a community that engages, connects, and influences the field of XR, in order to build and share knowledge, skills, tools, user experiences, and leading practices to make XR inclusive of all, regardless of abilities.

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2020+ Strategy Overview

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Our Core Values

Essential and enduring principles that guide the behavior of the organization.

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Focus

Approach

Style

  • Efficient and useful for both present and future environments and outcomes.
  • Evidence-based
  • Welcome, enable, and empower diverse involvement and inclusive engagement
  • User-centered (on needs of people with disabilities)
  • Collaborative
  • Catalytic (a change agent)
  • Connector

2020+ Strategy Overview

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Our Stakeholders

An updated view of our stakeholders.

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Researchers

Creators

Platforms & Associations

Policy & Education

Consultants & Employers

  • Academic researchers
  • Non-academic researchers
  • Think tanks
  • Incubators
  • Investors & social good non-profits
  • Enterprise app developers
  • Content studios
  • Independent creators
  • Trade associations
  • Hardware product manufacturers
  • Software platforms and developer tools
  • Network infrastructure
  • Assistive technology developers
  • Disability advocacy
  • Public policy
  • Government organizations
  • NGOs and conveners
  • Standards development
  • Educators
  • Accessibility consultants
  • Disability-led panels and consultants
  • Compliance and risk consultants

2020+ Strategy Overview

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Our Mission

To make XR accessible to all by building a diverse community that connects stakeholders, catalyzes shared and sustained action, and provides valuable, informative resources.

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Our Vision

  • Inclusive design and accessibility are expected when XR is created, experienced and used.
  • Resources on XR accessibility are widespread wherever XR technologies are created, and updated frequently with the latest findings from research.
  • People with disabilities shape the future by creating, testing, and providing feedback on XR technology products and content experiences.

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2020+ Strategy Overview

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Sustaining XR Access

  • Good sustainable innovation happens at the intersection of:
    • Users (necessity & desirability)
    • Technology (feasibility)
    • Business (viability)
  • We will focus our research and work in these three areas.
  • We will serve as a catalyst and communicator of XR accessibility research.
  • We will catalyze stakeholders using input and output from the three focus areas.

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2020+ Strategy Overview

Technology�(Feasibility)

Users�(Necessity & �Desirability)

Business�(Viability)

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Proposed Work Streams

The 6 existing Working Groups will transition to 3 new internal work streams.

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Focus: Business

Focus: Tech

Focus: Users

Inclusive Design for XR

Accessible Development of XR

Business Cases for Inclusive XR

bcXR

idXR

adXR

Defines what accessible XR means and maintains the ideal.

Makes it possible to develop accessible XR applications.

Shows what XR can do, creates demand for accessible XR.

2020+ Strategy Overview

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Work Stream: Inclusive Design for XR

  • Focus/Goal
    • Users: Defines what inclusive XR means and maintains the current leading practice and user-centred objectives.
  • Proposed Activities
    • Organize and connect communities of PWDs with XR access user research and consulting opportunities (e.g. panels, job opportunities, etc.)
    • Identify, gather, and create inclusive design frameworks, methodologies and deliverables to use in XR design (e.g. Inclusive Design for Immersive, Adobe Inclusive Design, etc.)
    • Create and maintain learning materials, resources, & education
    • Conduct user studies focused on usability of XR applications
    • Provide input on XR A11y user requirements to W3C, other organizations
  • Primary stakeholders
    • Creators - Incubators, app developers, content studios
    • Researchers and accessibility consultants
    • Advocacy groups and users

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2020+ Strategy Overview

Focus: Users

Inclusive Design for XR

idXR

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Objectives - idXR

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90 Days (Jan-April 2021)

1 Year (December 2021)

5 Years (December 2025)

idXR 1: Amplify and Empower People with Disabilities

  • idXR 1.1: Collaborate with PwD organizations and existing panels of PwD testers to identify current status of XR user engagement and testing.
  • idXR 1.2: Develop case study/user story framework for sharing stories.
  • idXR 1.3: Begin to fill gaps in existing panels to ensure equal representation.
  • idXR 1.4: Collate stories and understand which stories are not being told.
  • idXR 1.5: Standardize ways of engaging PwD in research from early stages to testing, including agreed practices on remuneration.
  • idXR 1.6: Continue to build user stories and provide easy access and sharing.

idXR 2: Curate Inclusive Design Resources

  • idXR 2.1: Find and assess a range of design frameworks and resources that can support greater inclusive design, awareness, application, and efficiency.
  • idXR 2.2: Curate a set of currently available and sufficient quality tools approaches and training that advance XR accessibility and inclusive design.
  • idXR 2.3: Connect the resources to XR Access members.
  • idXR 2.4: Fill gaps in curated resources to have robust suite of aligned tools (training, integration w/ research) that can be “white-labeled” or used inside companies.
  • idXR 2.5: Continue to test and refine resources.

idXR 3: Support Inclusive Pathways to XR Roles

  • idXR 3.1: Define role-based requirements for inclusive pathways to connect PWDs with XR jobs and contract opportunities.
  • idXR 3.2: Determine existing points of friction and barriers to overcome.
  • idXR 3.3: Engage interested parties (e.g. platforms / apps, universities, training centers, UX/design community).
  • idXR 3.4: Develop a programme of work to address the barriers.
  • idXR 3.5: Make it easier for organisations (startups to corporates) to better understand and efficiently adopt inclusive hiring, full engagement and upskilling practices.
  • idXR 3.6: Create a community of practice around inclusive workplaces in XR supporting ongoing development of tools, leading practices and stories.
  • idXR 3.7: Connect leaders and internal ERGs (enterprise resource groups, Ability Networks) enabling faster industry wide learning and progression.

2020+ Strategy Overview

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Work Stream: Accessible Development of XR

  • Focus/Goal
    • Tech: Makes it possible to develop XR applications and content that are accessible.
  • Proposed Activities
    • Collaborate with HW/SW platform manufacturers to advocate for inclusive design and advance promising practices identified from idXR work stream
    • Collaborate with content providers to advocate for inclusive design and advance promising practices identified from idXR work stream
    • Gather examples and practices, develop prototypes/demos, and other materials showcasing accessible implementations
    • Highlight needs related to accessibility in XR developer tools used by creators
  • Primary Stakeholders
    • Trade Associations
    • Platform Technology (HW, SW) Product Manufacturers
    • Developer Tool Manufacturers
    • Enterprise App and Content Creators, Designers, Developers

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Focus: Tech

Accessible Development of XR

adXR

2020+ Strategy Overview

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Objectives - adXR

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2020+ Strategy Overview

90 Days (Jan-April 2021)

1 Year (December 2021)

5 Years (December 2025)

adXR 1: Standards & Platforms Partnerships

  • adXR 1.1: Establish routine meetings with key stakeholder groups including W3C, XRA, and OpenXR.
  • adXR 1.2: Establish cadence of providing input and sharing output.
  • adXR 1.3: Join advisory boards if possible.
  • adXR 1.4: Continue to affirm relationships and build new ones.
  • adXR 1.5: Encourage membership crossover with key organizations.

adXR 2: Evaluating Accessible Development

  • adXR 2.1: Launch survey of developers to understand accessibility practices and constraints.
  • adXR 2-2: Define evaluation framework.
  • adXR 2.3: Release official report on status of accessibility in industry.
  • adXR 2.4: Perform and share evaluations of top applications.
  • adXR 2.5: Provide guidance based on ongoing accessibility capabilities.
  • adXR 2.6: Encourage sharing of standardized evaluations.

adXR 3: XR Content Authoring

  • adXR 3.1: Outline core requirements for A11y Object Model (AOM).
  • adXR 3.2: Identify accessibility-specific development resources.
  • adXR 3.3: Refine and release open-source documentation around accessibility APIs and the AOM.
  • adXR 3.4: Build index of developer resources.
  • adXR 3.5: Continue to refine & support accessible developer documentation.
  • adXR 3.6: Refine and support developer resources.

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Work Stream: Business Cases for Inclusive XR

  • Focus/Goal
    • Business: Shows what XR can do, creates demand for accessible XR.
  • Proposed Activities
    • Examine the critical needs for accessible XR in current and future business use cases gaining traction in the market (e.g. virtual meetings, education, healthcare, workforce training, 5G, etc.).
    • Partner with trade associations, researchers and policy/think tank leaders to produce research reports outlining business, economic and societal benefits of XR accessibility
    • Create messaging and materials, and present at industry forums, to increase demand for accessible XR
  • Primary Stakeholders
    • Researchers (Academic, Non-Academic, Think Tanks)
    • Policy & Education (Disability Advocacy, Policy, Govt, etc.)
    • Consultants & Employers
    • Educators

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Focus: Business

Business Cases for Inclusive XR

bcXR

2020+ Strategy Overview

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Objectives - bcXR

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2020+ Strategy Overview

90 Days (Jan-April 2021)

1 Year (December 2021)

5 Years (December 2025)

bcXR 1: Develop the “Business Case”

  • bcXR 1.1: Launch a literature survey (with some qualitative interviews) on business cases, inclusive design, and XR/emerging tech.
  • bcXR 1.2: Understand user perspectives on what makes an influential business case.
  • bcXR 1.3: Complete a literature survey (with some qualitative interviews) on business cases and inclusive design and XR/emerging tech.
  • bcXR 1.4: Identify ROIs for accessibility investment.
  • bcXR 1.5: Build additional research work across the XR access community.
  • bcXR 1.6: Consistently collate, review and use leading research to maintain an up to date strong ROI for inclusion in XR.

bcXR 2: Document Stories of Commercially Successful Inclusive XR Tech

  • bcXR 2.1: Capture stories of individuals and interaction with a successful application of inclusive design (e.g. XBox adaptive controller; “Last of Us, Part II”).
  • bcXR 2.2: Pick 3-4 emerging tech stories and develop comprehensive use cases within each industry so we can learn from the past and parallel experiences.
  • bcXR 2.3: Continue to build the repository and perhaps to develop an award event or platform to highlight success stories.

bcXR 3: Develop Materials for Specific Audiences

  • bcXR 3.1: Identify key audiences that remain disengaged with XR due in part to accessibility reasons.
  • bcXR 3.2: Hold one workshop with industry players to demonstrate and work through the business case for making XR products that are inclusive.
  • bcXR 3.3: Complete white paper or other communication product that summarizes state of research.
  • bcXR 3.4: Lay groundwork for next steps (A/B test, use cases in additional industry sectors, more targeted academic research, testimonials from app developers, etc.).

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Proposed Engagement Teams

Two new engagement teams will engage and connect researchers and industry parties.

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Focus: Business

Focus: Tech

Focus: Users

Inclusive Design for XR

Accessible Development of XR

Business Cases for Inclusive XR

bcXR

idXR

adXR

2020+ Strategy Overview

Stakeholder Catalyst Team (SCT)

XR Access Research Network (XARN)

SCT: Listens to community; informs work streams and circulates outputs to XR ecosystem

XARN: Connects and enables research on XR accessibility

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Stakeholder Catalyst Team (SCT)

  • Purpose
    • Help ensure that resources produced as part of Work Streams can be leveraged and used by the wider community shaping an accessible future of XR technology.
  • Activities (In Collaboration With Work Streams)
    • Form key connections between work streams and stakeholders in industry and government, including partnerships to further goals of the initiative - e.g. XR Association, UK Research & Innovation, PEAT/Teach Access, W3C, AbleGamers, etc.
    • Help organize resources to aid in tech transfer in the market - e.g. Library, GitHub, other way to “close time gap” to help market find resources
    • Organize external panels, conference presentations and public community events featuring members from work streams
    • Conduct industry surveys and focus groups to identify needs and challenges, to help drive and shape the overall initiative or specific work goals

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2020+ Strategy Overview

Stakeholder Catalyst Team (SCT)

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Stakeholder Catalyst Team (SCT), Cont’d

  • Stakeholder Catalyst Team Leadership & Members
    • Leadership: Volunteers appointed by the Initiative Co-Directors, SCT leaders have experience and connections with key partners or market orgs and ability to lead
    • Members: Members who want to work across work streams in some capacity - e.g. technology / content infrastructure, events, communications, surveys, standards coordination, etc.
  • Funding
    • XR Access operating funds will provide support for stakeholder catalyst team activities.
    • Some funding may come from Event or Resource Sponsors.

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2020+ Strategy Overview

Stakeholder Catalyst Team (SCT)

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XR Access Research Network (XARN)

  • Purpose & Goals
    • Foster a network of university-based academic researchers who have a shared interest in making XR technologies accessible.
  • Proposed Activities
    • Monthly “conversations” where members present and discuss new and emerging work, culminating in an annual workshop where members discuss their research and form new collaborations.
    • Summer research for undergraduates (REU) program, a multi-member project to identify and support new researchers at the undergraduate level.
    • Networking activities: visits among member laboratories, sharing facilities/equipment, public-facing website, connecting academic researchers to industry and advocates
    • Seed funding program: providing "start-up" funding for research groups interested in expanding their programs

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2020+ Strategy Overview

XR Access Research Network (XARN)

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XR Access Research Network (XARN), Cont’d

  • Research Network Leadership & Members
    • Leadership: Dr. Shiri Azenkot at Cornell Tech, with assistance of staff research coordinator.
    • Members: Academic research and research-focused non-profit members of XR Access (for-profit companies join XR Access at different levels of membership).
  • Funding
    • XR Access operating funds will provide support for network coordination activities.
    • Individual Research Network members will apply for and manage their own research grants and contracts, in collaboration with other members as needed.
    • Cornell Tech will apply for and manage its own research funds, as well as those supporting research network events, internship/mentorship programs, and other coordinating activities.

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2020+ Strategy Overview

XR Access Research Network (XARN)

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Functional Organization - Short Term (Early 2021)

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2020+ Strategy Overview

Inclusive Design for XR (idXR) Work Stream Leader(s)

Accessible Development of XR (adXR) Work Stream Leader(s)

Business Cases for Inclusive XR (bcXR) Work Stream Leader(s)

Work Streams (Volunteer-Led)

idXR Activity Leaders

idXR Contributors

adXR Activity Leaders

adXR Contributors

bcXR Activity Leaders

bcXR Contributors

Stakeholder Catalyst Team (SCT) Participants

Advisory Panel Members (5-7)

Advisory Panel (Volunteer)

Early in 2021, XR Access will add an Advisory Panel and continue being led by Cornell Tech, Verizon and PEAT. The three new work streams will be implemented, and people to work in the Stakeholder Catalyst Team and Research Network will be identified. The initiative will work on an operational plan to be implemented longer term.

Co-Director, Overall Initiative

Leadership (Funded)

Co-Director, Research Network

Coordinator, XR Access Work Streams & �Stakeholder Catalyst

Research Network Participants

Research Network Coordinator(s)

A key part of the initiative is to ensure that people with disabilities serve at all levels:

  • Advisory Panel
  • Funded leadership roles
  • Volunteer work stream leaders, activity leaders, contributors
  • Volunteer market engagement team participants
  • Research Network director, coordinators, participants

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Functional Organization - Long Term (Late 2021+)

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2020+ Strategy Overview

Inclusive Design for XR (idXR) Work Stream Leader(s)

Accessible Development of XR (adXR) Work Stream Leader(s)

Business Cases for Inclusive XR (bcXR) Work Stream Leader(s)

Work Streams (Volunteer-Led)

idXR Activity Leaders

idXR Contributors

adXR Activity Leaders

adXR Contributors

bcXR Activity Leaders

bcXR Contributors

Stakeholder Catalyst Team (SCT) Participants

Advisory Panel Members (5-7)

Advisory Panel (Volunteer)

In Late 2021 and beyond, XR Access will implement a more formal operation, securing additional funds to staff additional leadership roles to support tech infrastructure, marketing, memberships, fundraising and more. Memberships and fundraising processes will be put in place, as well as growing the Research Network participation.

Co-Director, Overall Initiative

Leadership (Funded)

Co-Director, Research Network

Coordinator, XR Access Work Streams

Coordinator, Stakeholder Catalyst

Research Network Participants

Research Network Coordinator(s)

Lead, Marketing & Infrastructure

Lead, Memberships & Fundraising

A key part of the initiative is to ensure that people with disabilities serve at all levels:

  • Advisory Panel
  • Funded leadership
  • Volunteer work stream leaders, activity leaders, contributors
  • Volunteer market engagement team participants
  • Research Network director, coordinators, participants

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Proposed Funding Model & Benefits

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2020+ Strategy Overview

Funding Type

Funding Source

Suggested �Contribution (year)

Benefits

Funders

Leaders. Business leaders supporting the overall effort.

$$$$

  • Work stream leadership and participation
  • Stakeholder Catalyst Team participation
  • Full access to research and emerging practices library
  • Internal workshops
  • Complimentary admission to public events (e.g. Symposium)
  • Recognition on website and in all public events/comms
  • Ability to post or apply to full-time, contract, consulting jobs

Champions, Foundations & Government Orgs. For-profit members from larger (1000+ employee) organizations, large foundations, government orgs.

$$$

Startups / Small Businesses. For-profit members from startups or businesses less than 1000 employees.

$$

Individual Members. Individual consultants, entrepreneurs or non-academic members.

$$

Researcher & Educators

Academic Researchers. Academic researchers or educators.

Free

  • Research Network participation / networking opportunities
  • Full access to research and emerging practices library
  • Invites to monthly research conversations
  • Summer research for undergraduates (REU) program
  • Complimentary admission to public events (e.g. Symposium)
  • Participation in seed funding program

Govt/NGO. Members from non-academic non-profits such as government, NGOs, etc.

Free

Sponsors

Research Sponsors. Funders or sponsors of research activities.

Varies

  • Full access to research and emerging practices library
  • Internal workshops
  • Complimentary admission to public events (e.g. Symposium)
  • Recognition on website and in all public events/comms

Event Sponsors. Sponsors of larger events or workshops.

Varies

Resource Sponsors. Sponsors of publications, practice library, or technical infrastructure.

Varies

General Public

Members of the general public, media, or other groups interested in the work of the initiative.

$

  • Admission to public events (e.g. Symposium)
  • Limited access to research and emerging practices library

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Community Review & Feedback Process

  • November 2020
    • Nov 6th: Slack message to members with timing for sharing strategy
    • Nov 13th: Strategy Committee completes draft of Strategy and develops feedback form
    • Nov 20th: Share out this strategy and a Google Form to collect member feedback
  • December 2020
    • Dec 9th: XR Access & XR Association discussion of new strategy
    • Dec 11th: Deadline for collecting feedback using Google Form
    • Dec 14th-18th: Review and incorporate members’ feedback to finalize Strategy
    • Dec 31st: Define next steps
  • Early 2021
    • Jan 4th: Begin putting in place Advisory Panel, adjust work streams, develop by-laws. Begin work on development of operational plan and formal organization elements.
    • Mar 31st: Completed operational plan and begin implementing.

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2020+ Strategy Overview

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Thanks for your feedback

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