Seeking Visually Impaired People for Virtual Reality Workshops

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Join Unpath’d Waters and Museum of London Archaelogy to help design an innovative virtual reality experience on maritime heritage to make it accessible for visually impaired people – as part of the Unpath‘d Waters project.

A total of six consultants will be required for two workshops, with spending vouchers and travel expenses offered as part of the consultancy. The date of the first workshop is outlined below. The second will be decided in discussion with consultants once recruited.

Time required for first workshop.

Date: 18 August 2023 from 11AM to 5PM.

Venue: Mortimer Wheeler House (Museum of London Archaeology Offices), 46 Eagle Wharf Rd, N1 7ED, London.

Details: Unpath’d Waters is a Towards a National Collection initiative funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council. As part of this project – and in partnership with VICTAR and VocalEyes – the Museum of London Archaeology and Glasgow School of Art are running two workshops with visually impaired persons to help design a virtual reality experience which will enable users to explore a huge collection of maritime heritage datasets.

This heritage, covering 23,000 years, is represented by collections including charts, images, film, oral histories, scientific data, artefacts, and artworks. The project aims to reshape the future of UK marine heritage, making records accessible for the first time, and opening them to the world.

There are very few virtual reality experiences which can enable visually impaired persons to access heritage data: we are investigating new ways to make this exciting challenge possible.

Who we are looking for

If you are curious to explore this with us, we are looking for people who:

  • Are willing to discuss their support needs with us between the weeks of 10th July to 11th August.
  • Are available on 18th August 2023 from 11AM to 5PM to join us for the first workshop in London at 46 Eagle Wharf Rd, N1 7ED.
  • May have a range of experience with virtual reality and/or maritime heritage (including no experience) and are open to experimentation and offering new ideas!
  • Are 18 years or older.
  • Will give constructive feedback in a group setting, respecting that everyone in the group will bring a variety of opinions and experiences, and that different access needs will be at play.
  • Please note: we regret that due to the nature of our project (which includes some visual interaction) we cannot offer this opportunity to those who are totally blind.

What you will receive

  • Travel expenses and a voucher of £60 will be provided to consultants for each workshop attended.
  • The consultants are welcome to bring an access companion who will also be reimbursed for time (in vouchers) and travel expenses.
  • Lunch and refreshments will be provided for all.

Contact details

Please email our Research Associates Katrina Foxton or Scott Carballo to discuss support needs, ask questions and for further details. Please note: Katrina will usually be free between 2PM to 5PM Monday to Friday daily. Katrina is away on the 14th and 17th of July 2023.

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