The Seventh Annual XR Access Symposium

June 26-27, 2025, New York City

XR Access 2025:
3D Diversity

The XR Access Symposium is our annual conference for leaders in industry, academia, and advocacy to come together and solve the most pressing problems in extended reality accessibility. For 2025, our focus is 3D Diversity: how can we use XR and other emerging technologies to design valuable immersive applications for increasingly diverse audiences?

This 2 day conference will take place June 26-27, 2025, at the Verizon Executive Education Center on Cornell Tech campus in New York City, with sessions broadcasted online. Together, we’ll explore new ways for XR to combine with other emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and brain-computer interfaces to improve the lives of everyone, especially people with disabilities.

For a glimpse of the type of cutting-edge content you’ll see at the Symposium, you can watch the full 2024 Symposium on YouTube and read the 2024 Symposium Report.

Registration for in-person costs are as follows:

  • Speakers, Scholarships, Volunteers – Free
  • Student or Unaffiliated – $30
  • Nonprofit Organization or University (nonstudent) – $200
  • Industry – $400

50% early bird discount in effect until April 25th!

Zoom registration is free! However, only the main stage presentations will be streamed to Zoom.

Hosted by
Cornell Tech, home of the Jacobs Technion-Cornell Institute

Call for Presentations

We’re looking for the best work across all sectors to feature at the Symposium.  We’ll take research, products, advocacy case studies – anything that showcases the potential of accessible XR to our diverse audience.  Presentations can come in the following forms:

  • Talk – speak on the main stage to our full Symposium audience. Talks will be 20-30 minutes including Q&A, and will be shared publicly via our YouTube.
  • Poster – condense your ideas into a 2′ x 3′ poster, which will be displayed in our exhibition hall. You will have the opportunity to share your poster and a video explanation of it to our online audience.
  • Demo – showcase an interactive example of accessible XR technology in our exhibition hall. We provide table, wifi, and electricity; you bring everything else.

It’s OK to submit work previously published in other venues, as the Symposium’s focus is on spreading new techniques and best practices through the broader XR community.  We encourage people at every level to apply; at least one speaking slot will go to our best student submission. Email info@xraccess.org if you have questions about your application.

Scholarships & Volunteers

XR Access is able to provide a limited amount of scholarships for those who would otherwise be unable to attend the Symposium. In addition to waiving the registration fee, last year we were able to provide reimbursements for up to $400 in travel & lodging expenses, or up to $700 for nonprofit or university non-student staff and faculty.  Scholarships are prioritized for presenters, as well as for those from marginalized backgrounds including lived experience of disability.

Volunteers are a vital part of making our Symposium possible, and our volunteers receive valuable back-stage experience and contacts. Volunteers will also have their registration fee waived.

Important Dates

All deadlines are at 11:59 PM US Eastern Time on the listed day.

Presentations

  • Applications close: Friday February 28th
  • Notification of chosen presenters: Rolling selections beginning Monday March 31st
  • Finalize materials, including presentations, posters, and videos: Friday June 13th

Scholarships

  • Applications close: Friday March 14th
  • Scholarship decisions released: Monday April 14th
  • Reimbursement requests due (with receipts): Monday July 28th
  • Reimbursements paid: No later than Friday August 29th

Volunteers

  • Applications close: Wednesday June 18th
  • Volunteer training: Wednesday June 25th

Registration

  • Early bird discount ends: Friday April 25th
  • Final registration deadline: Friday June 20th

Schedule

The Symposium will take place from 9am-5pm on June 26th and 27th. More details coming soon!

Venue

Verizon Executive Education Center at Cornell Tech

2 West Loop Road

New York, NY 10044

The Verizon Executive Education Center at Cornell Tech redefines the landscape of executive event and conference space in New York City. This airy, modern, full-service venue offers convenience and ample space—with breathtaking views—for conferences, executive programs, receptions, seminars, meet-ups and more. Designed by international architecture firm Snøhetta, the Verizon Executive Education Center blends high design and human-centered technology to bring you an advanced meeting space suited for visionary thinkers.

Verizon executive education center exterior: a pointed building of dark glass, like a whale's baleen.

Sponsors

XR Access Symposia can’t happen without the support of our generous sponsors. Visit our sponsorship page to learn about the many benefits of sponsoring the Symposium.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get to the venue?

Public transportation by subway, ferry, or tram is recommended. See this transportation guide for details.

Will the main stage presentations be recorded?

Yes, they will be streamed live via Zoom and added to the XR Access YouTube channel after the conference.

Will the breakout sessions be recorded?

No, unfortunately our recording equipment is not suited to capturing multiple small groups. However, the takeaways will be included in the Symposium Report.

Why does the Symposium cost money to attend in person?

Unfortunately, events in the physical world are expensive; the Symposium will cost tens of thousands of dollars. However, if the expense is a hardship for you, please apply for a scholarship using the link in the description. Note that registering for Zoom and watching online is still free.

What accommodations will be provided?

We will provide American Sign Language interpreters for the event and human-created captions for the main stage presentations. If you need additional accommodations, please note it on your registration or contact info@xraccess.org.

What food will be provided?

We will provide lunch, snacks and drinks during the symposium. Please let us know if you have specific dietary restrictions during registration.

Where should I stay in New York?
We recommend the Graduate New York, located mere steps from the venue; you can use the code NEGCOR to get a discount on your room.  There are also many hotels with easy access to Roosevelt Island near the tramway at 254 E 60th St.

Organizing Committee

Dylan Fox
Dylan FoxGeneral Chair
Director of Operations, XR Access
Shiri Azenkot
Shiri AzenkotGeneral Chair
XR Access Consortium Director | Associate Professor of Information Science, Cornell Tech