Investigating VR Accessibility Reviews for Users with Disabilities: A Qualitative Analysis

2025-08-18

AI Summary

Current VR applications exhibit severe accessibility gaps for users with disabilities, with no systematic empirical research to date. Method: This study conducts the first large-scale qualitative analysis of 1.36 million user reviews from Meta and Steam platforms, identifying 1,076 accessibility-related comments across 100 VR applications spanning six application categories; these comments are systematically coded using multi-level qualitative coding and text mining, integrated with application-type and disability-classification frameworks. Results: We identify 16 disability types and their associated barriers, revealing action-oriented applications as most problematic. The study contributes the first empirically grounded VR accessibility barrier map derived from authentic user feedback, uncovers critical inclusivity deficits in mainstream platforms, and proposes a disability-user-voice-driven design improvement pathway—establishing an evidence base for VR accessibility standards and inclusive practice.

Technology Category

• Humans and AI: AI for Accessibility
• Computer Vision: Bias, Fairness & Privacy
• Cognitive Modeling & Cognitive Systems: Applications

Application Category

• User Modeling, Personalization and Recommendation: Practical large-scale studies of user experience
• Search and Retrieval-Augmented AI: Web evaluation methodologies and metrics
• Systems and Infrastructure for Web, Mobile and WoT: Web applications in cross-disciplinary domains and verticals such as mixed reality, smart cities, and digital health

Abstract

Accessibility reviews provide valuable insights into both the limitations and benefits experienced by users with disabilities when using virtual reality (VR) applications. However, a comprehensive investigation into VR accessibility for users with disabilities is still lacking. To fill this gap, this study analyzes user reviews from the Meta and Steam stores of VR apps, focusing on the reported issues affecting users with disabilities. We applied selection criteria to 1,367,419 reviews from the top 40, the 20 most popular, and the 40 lowest-rated VR applications on both platforms. In total, 1,076 (0.078%) VR accessibility reviews referenced various disabilities across 100 VR applications. These applications were categorized into Action, Sports, Social, Puzzle, Horror, and Simulation, with Action receiving the highest number of accessibility related-reviews. We identified 16 different types of disabilities across six categories. Furthermore, we examined the causes of accessibility issues as reported by users with disabilities. Overall, VR accessibility reviews were predominantly under-supported.

Problem

• Analyzing VR accessibility reviews for disabled users
• Identifying common disabilities and issues in VR apps
• Investigating causes of accessibility problems in VR

Innovation

• Analyzed VR accessibility reviews from Meta and Steam
• Categorized 100 VR apps into six genres for analysis
• Identified 16 disability types across six categories