Alcyan: What is the message you would like to give to people with disabilities or without disabilities using this virtual environment?
Fidget: Whether we are “able-bodied” or not in someone’s definition of it; and no matter what our physical, emotional, mental, intellectual, artistic, spirit—we are all capable and incapable.
Each and every one of us.
You. Me. Them -- whoever your perspective of 'them' may be.
Alcyan: How technology helps disabled people?
Fidget: Technology can be a boone to anyone. I cannot speak directly to that issue, as I am still struggling along with standard technology. You'd need to ask that question of someone else.
Alcyan: What are the challenges using a virtual environment?
Fidget: Challenges of using a virtual environment come in many flavors:
Adjusting to the patterns necessary to use it (i.e., learning the basics so you can move, do, be, and express.
Not everyone who uses a virtual world is living in well-being. There are some very unstable people (just as in real-life) who make it their mission to create chaos, disconcertedness, and trauma-drama. Just as in the physical world.
Some people need to see facial expressions to accurately interpret expression. That leaves room for mis-interpretation of communication -- just as in e-mail, or a hand-written letter.
There are physical challenges of connecting to the virtual world and communicating within it. (technology)
There are predators looking for victims in virtual worlds, just as in the physical world.
Alcyan: Does Second Life break Real Life barriers and can we have some examples of such?
Fidget: Yes. That depends on whether you are looking for "earth-shattering" significant or "everyday" significant examples.
For me, if I communicate clearly with someone and we both feel understood ... that is an example in my life of breaking a "real life/physical world" barrier. Not necessarily meaningful to anyone else, but of the greatest of importance to me.