Enhancing Web3D accessibility in cultural heritage: an eye-controlled 3D model viewer

Cultural heritage institutions are using web-based 3D technologies (Web3D) to display their collection to the world. However, accessibility is a problematic area for Web3D technologies, particularly for people with upper body mobility or dexterity impairments. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that 2.5 billion people require assistive technology worldwide and that by 2050 this number will rise to 3.5 billion. In view of such a large potential audience, the accessibility of Web3D technologies in cultural heritage should be studied. Web3D still lacks integration with assistive technologies within the 3D scene. Although web designers and developers have standards at their disposition, such as Accessible Rich Internet Applications (ARIA) descriptors or Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), which provide guidelines and techniques for designing and implementing accessible websites, such standards are challenging to implement for Web3D. This paper contributes to the area of Web3D accessibility by providing a work-in-progress development for a 3D model viewer for cultural heritage artefacts with functionalities that can be operated via gaze tracking in support for people with upper body mobility and dexterity impairments.