October 3, 2025
Discover Live presents how audio-described live virtual tours make world exploration accessible to the blind and low vision community. Learn about our tour development, guide training, extra sensory tour add-ons, and the vision for AI and XR usage to further transform how we experience destinations through technology and rich auditory storytelling.
Event Details
Date: Fri October 3rd, 2025
Time: 10am PT | 1pm ET
Location: Zoom
If you require accessibility accommodations such as American Sign Language interpretation, please email info@xraccess.org no fewer than 72 hours before the event.
Video
Summary
The Pivot from VR to Accessible Platforms
- Initially envisioned VR as the “ultimate equalizer” but discovered significant accessibility barriers
- Mainstream VR platforms remain largely inaccessible to BLV users despite AI advancements
- Solution: Pivoted to Zoom – a familiar, screen-reader friendly platform that works on any device with any internet connection
Live Audio-Described Tours
- Real-time, on-location virtual experiences emphasizing vivid descriptions, interactivity, and multi-sensory engagement
- Tours incorporate stories, history, sounds, and optional tactile elements (purchasable artifacts like desert roses or miniature statues)
- Tour guides undergo specialized certification training focusing on:
- Vivid language and strategic pacing
- Contextual layering
- Emotional tone appropriate to the environment
- Technical proficiency
Impact on BLV Community
Shanell Matos shared powerful personal experiences:
- Tours transform perceptions – the Vietnam Memorial went from “just a wall” to a meaningful space through detailed descriptions of symbols, artist intent, and purpose
- Audio descriptions provide access to places BLV individuals could never physically touch (like Big Ben)
- Eliminates uncertainty about accessibility and safety when traveling
- Creates equal opportunity for “the joy of discovery”
Technology Integration
Adora AI Travel Companion (developed 2 years ago):
- Personalizes experiences for individual tour participants
- Greets attendees, asks about interests, converses throughout tours
- Supports multiple languages
- Allows private interaction for those uncomfortable speaking up in large groups
- Important note: AI will not replace human guides
Future VR/MR Plans:
- Ready to adopt XR technology when it becomes truly accessible
- Exploring spatial audio and haptic feedback integration
- Envisions combining live VR tours with AI-powered audio descriptions and potential smell/taste simulation
Design Recommendations for VR/AR Developers
- Use all senses, not just visual descriptions (sounds, smells, textures)
- Example: Different sounds for walking on gravel vs. dry dirt
- Get feedback from diverse BLV users (those born with and without vision)
- Follow “Nothing for us, without us” principle – involve the community in development
- Ensure independent usability with screen readers
- Consider meaningful haptic feedback (avoiding fatigue from constant buzzing)
- Balance information value vs. information overload
- Address both technical accessibility AND cost accessibility
- Optimize for minimal internet coverage and data consumption
Summary generated via Claude
About the Speakers
Jason Wei
Founder & CEO, Discover Live
Jason is the Founder of Discover Live and a seasoned executive with 20+ years driving growth across Fortune 500 companies and startups. He specializes in strategic planning, product-market fit, and technology transformation spanning consumer goods, digital services, smart devices, and medical cannabis while delivering innovative, accessible solutions.