Accessibility in Virtual Worlds Made Simple

"How do we improve accessibility and meet compliance expectations in a 3D/browser experience?"

Here's our answer:

Treat accessibility and compliance as foundations, not add-ons. Follow a guideline like the WCAG for usability and keep in mind PDPA (if in Singapore) or your local guidelines for data protection from the very first prototype.

In practice, this means:

• Giving everyone a way to navigate and interact (keyboard controls, large tap areas, captions, reduced motion)

• Making visuals and interactions perceivable and understandable (clear focus, high contrast, descriptive alt text)

• Asking for and recording consent before collecting any personal data

Building this in early usually adds 10 to 15% to initial development time, far less than the cost of retrofitting later, and protects your project from both legal and reputational risks.

The TOLL Omniverse Virtual World prioritised accessibility and provided text, audio, captions, highlights, interactions and many more components to ensure that navigating the world was simple and straightforward for users!

Why accessibility in Virtual World matters

1. WCAG is the current accessibility standard

Published by the W3C in Dec 2024, WCAG 2.2 expands earlier guidelines with mobile-friendly rules like Target Size (Minimum) and Dragging Movements, both highly relevant for 3D worlds where people click, tap, or drag to explore.

2. PDPA is a legal requirement in Singapore

The Personal Data Protection Act governs how you collect, use, and store personal data. That means any sign-ups, analytics, or tracking in your 3D space must have clear, specific consent and a way to withdraw it.

3. Accessibility and compliance drive engagement

An inclusive, transparent experience keeps more people in your space for longer and builds trust. Our clients tell us that when users feel confident they can both use the platform and trust the data handling, they’re more willing to explore, interact, and return.

How to make a 3D/browser experience accessible

Here’s what accessibility looks like in plain language for a browser-based 3D environment:

1. Keyboard navigation from the start

   • Arrow keys or Enter to activate options.

   • Always show where focus is (a visible highlight).

2. Captions and transcripts

   • Provide captions for all videos and audio, both pre-recorded and live.

   • Include transcripts for audio tours or narrated scenes.

3. Large, easy-to-hit controls

   • Click/tap areas at least 24×24 pixels or spaced so they’re easy to press.

   • Applies to buttons, hotspots, and menu items in your 3D scene.

4. Reduced motion options

   • Respect device settings (prefers-reduced-motion) and offer a manual toggle.

   • Helpful for people with motion sensitivity.

5. Descriptive alt text and labels

   • Every hotspot, image, or 3D object should have a plain-text description.

   • These descriptions help screen readers and assistive tech.

6. Clear and consistent focus

   • Avoid pop-ups or tooltips that block the highlighted element.

   • Ensure camera movements don’t cause people to lose their place.

   
   

How to meet PDPA requirements in a 3D space

PDPA essentials in plain terms:

• Tell people why you need their data, e.g., “We use your email to send the event link and updates.”

• Get clear consent before collecting, no pre-ticked boxes.

• Let them opt out at any time, and make it easy to find.

• Only collect what you need, don’t store extras “just in case.”

• Delete data when it’s no longer needed, and make retention timelines clear.

Practical tips for a 3D environment:

• Show a consent text box before entry, explain data use in simple language and provide checkboxes for each purpose (analytics, marketing, etc.).

• Keep a consent log, so you can prove when and how consent was given.

• Provide a “manage my data” link, ideally in the in-world menu.

Building accessibility into your first virtual world release

Our recommended 4-week pilot plan:

• Scope one scene, 5–10 hotspots, each with alt text.

• Build keyboard paths and visible focus from day one.

• Add a Reduced Motion switch and check device motion preferences.

• Caption all videos and live streams; include transcripts for audio.

• Use large, well-spaced controls in menus and HUDs.

• Ask for PDPA-compliant consent before loading any tracking scripts.

Time and cost

• Prototype (4 weeks, S$9k–12k): Single scene, accessibility basics (WCAG 2.2 AA core) + PDPA consent flow.

• Phase 1 (8–12 weeks, S$12k–50k): Multiple scenes, richer interactions, language support, accessibility QA, CRM export.

• Bespoke / Phase 2 (20+ weeks, S$100k+): Full accessibility audit, multilingual captions/live captions, advanced input alternatives, deep privacy integration.

Common pitfalls (and how to avoid them)

• Slow load times - keep textures lean, test on mid-range devices.

• Crowded rooms - use “instancing” to split visitors while keeping features consistent.

• Drag-only controls - always offer button/slider alternatives.

• Hidden focus - ensure tooltips and modals don’t cover highlighted elements.

• Privacy shortcuts - never hide consent terms; make them clear and visible.

Quick FAQ

Do we really need all this for a pilot?

Yes, accessibility greatly improves the first public launch, even for tests. Doing it early saves time and keeps you compliant.

What exactly needs captions?

All pre-recorded and live audio/video content

How much extra time will this add?

From our experience, around 10–15% of build time if planned from the start.

Can a 3D scene on a canvas be accessible?

Yes, by mapping interactions to HTML elements with text descriptions and ensuring they’re reachable by keyboard.

Takeaways

• Build inclusivity and compliance from day one - it’s cheaper and easier than retrofitting.

• Design for real people - large click areas, keyboard paths, captions, and motion control make your space usable for everyone.

• Privacy is part of the experience - compliance builds trust and speeds internal approvals.

Glossary

• WCAG 2.2 (AA): International accessibility standard covering navigation, interaction, and visual clarity for websites and apps.

• PDPA: Singapore’s data protection law, covering consent, use, storage, and deletion of personal data.

• WebGL: Technology that runs 3D graphics directly in a browser.

• Core Web Vitals: Google’s recommended performance benchmarks for loading speed, interactivity, and visual stability.

Need to make your 3D experience accessible and compliant?

Contact us today!

Feel free to reach out to us! Even if it's for a simple question regarding virtual worlds! We're here to help demystify and help you bring your virtual world idea to life.