CALL FOR PAPERS ------------------------------------- VIRTUAL REALITY AND DISABILITY Westin Hotel at San Francisco Airport June 17-18, 1993 ------------------------------------- Sponsored by California State University, Northridge (CSUN) 18111 Nordhoff Street - DVSS Northridge, CA 91330 Contact Person: Dr. Harry Murphy (818) 885 2578 FAX (818) 885 4929 VR@VAX.CSUN.EDU Background In March of 1992, CSUN conducted a Virtual Reality and Disability conference as a part of its larger conference, "Technology and Persons with Disabilities." Jaron Lanier keynoted the conference as a whole, and eleven other papers were delivered on VR and Disability. The "Technology and Persons with Disabilities" conference of March 17-20, 1993 will also have a section on VR and Disability. Because of the interest in VR and Disability by both the Virtual Reality, and the Disability, communities, a conference devoted exclusively to this subject is planned for Thursday, June 17 and Friday, June 18, 1993 at the Westin Hotel at San Francisco's International Airport. This conference is co-sponsored by Greenleaf Medical Systems, CyberEdge Journal, Pacific Bell, the California Department of Rehabilitation and others. Topics of Interest Papers should address these two major topics of interest: (a) current and future applications of Virtual Reality that will benefit persons with disabilities, and (b) insuring access to these technologies by persons with disabilities. One creative use of VR to address the problems of persons with disabilities has been developed by John Trimble, Ted Morris and Bob Crandall at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Hines, IL. "Virtual Barrier Free Design" allows one to travel in virtual, architectural renderings from the viewpoint of a wheelchair user. Gloves are being used as communication devices for persons with disabilities. An HMD is being used as an aid to persons with low vision. Papers that deal with the chain of technologies which make up a "full blown" VR system, such as "Virtual Barrier Free Design" are welcome, as are papers and demonstrations of existing VR systems that might prove helpful in off-the-shelf, or slightly modified, fashion. Also welcome are papers and demonstrations of individual technologies, such as gloves and HMD's which are being used in ways that benefit persons with disabilities. Finally, papers dealing with solutions to access problems that are faced by persons with sensory and/or physical disabilities are also welcome. The Conference Program The conference program includes CEO panels, three keynote addresses by leaders in the fields of VR, and disability, demonstrations of VR technologies, demonstrations of assistive technologies currently used by persons with disabilities, tutorial sessions with "hands- on" time in the building of virtual worlds, presentations of current research and applications including "Virtual Barrier-Free Design," and work groups dedicated to special issues such as education, architecture, transportation, etc. The conference brings together three groups: the VR community, persons who are themselves disabled, and the rehabilitation technology/assistive device community. Hotel The Westin Hotel, Millbrae, CA, just a few minutes from San Francisco's International Airport, is the conference site. Special conference room rates are $99 per night, plus tax. Conference participants who wish to stay over for the weekend of June 19-20 are offered special rates of $79. Additional information will be sent along with acceptance of papers. How to Submit Papers A 200 word abstract is due not later than January 30, 1993. Papers may be submitted by mail, fax or email by that date. Each session will be allotted a 60 minute block of time for presentation of the paper. If a proposal is accepted, the speaker agrees to submit a formal paper of not more than ten pages by May 1, 1993. Papers will then be assembled into a Proceedings, which will be widely distributed on an international basis. Speakers are offered a discounted registration fee of only $125 (usual fee $225). This includes all meetings, demonstrations and work groups, as well as two lunches and a conference reception on the evening of Thursday, June 17. Registration Form Name: _____________________________________________________ Title: ____________________________________________________ Company: __________________________________________________ Address: __________________________________________________ City, State, Zip: _________________________________________ Phone: _________________________ FAX: _____________________ EMAIL Address: ____________________________________________ Title of Paper: ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ Please write a 1-2 sentence summary, not to exceed 25 words: ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ Also include a 200 word abstract, please. Is this a commerical product/demonstration? Yes ___ No ___ Equipment needs. CSUN will provide the following audio-visual equipment: 1/2" VHS VCR with color monitor, overhead projector, 35mm slide projector, easel, pad, and markers. CSUN will provide the following computer equipment: Macintosh Classic II, MS/DOS, and monochrome LCD projection screen with overhead projector. Speakers supply any other equipment needs. Equipment Needs. CSUN to provide the following equipment: ____________________________________________________________ I will supply the following equipment on my own: ___________ ____________________________________________________________ I/We agree to the conditions of presentation: ________________________________________________ (Signatures) ___ PLEASE SEND INFORMATION ON EXHIBITING.