Virtual Reality Headsets for Quadriplegics?

Posted by gratefulbob @gratefulbob, May 21 11:37am

I have a friend who had a traumatic accident which led to becoming quadriplegic. I would like to give him a virtual reality headset to assist him with exploring the world virtually. There doesn't seem to be a lot of products designed specifically for virtual reality for people with mobility issues. The only company I can find is rendever.com. However there are a lot of VR headsets available. Does anyone have advice for which VR headset is best for people with mobility problems and that are voice and eye movement controlled?

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Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | May 21 4:01pm

@gratefulbob I was searching online with your title phrase and found this journal about a quad patient using virtual reality and thought it may be of interest.
https://www.integralworld.net/lane214.html
I also wanted to share this information from Canine Companions for Independence. I knew a woman who ran the Chicago Chapter of CCI. She had use of her arms and was able to utilize a service dog and also to go places and do demonstrations with the dog. That is how I met her. If your friend has no arm function, perhaps a dog wouldn't work out, but in case it is helpful, I wanted to share this.
https://canine.org/service-dogs/is-a-dog-right-for-you/

rockstarraccoon | @rockstarraccoon | Jun 17 11:59am

Found this while looking up some other stuff about VR headsets, have two pieces of advice.

First off, anyone with mobility impairment in the lower limbs will benefit from a headset having full face and eye tracking, because there are many interfaces which can use blinking, mouth movements, etc, as commands.

Second, what matters more than the controller itself is the actual software being used. My first headset was a Google cardboard with a normal Gamepad, which meant I didn't have any hand-tracking. For a game like Beat Saber, this wouldn't be sufficient. In Resonite, however, I was able to use the tools provided, in desktop mode, to program systems to emulate some of the things that I wasn't able to do, which meant I could do more than just socialize. If you try Resonite, go find the Mentors (they have an open workshop Friday Afternoon), as they will be able to help you with that stuff. In general, Resonite and Steam VR offer a few experiences which are just "rides" and don't require any or much input beyond hitting the "next" button, like aquarium tours or amusement park rides.