introduced for presenters.
Alcyan: What does Second Life offer that Real Life doesn’t to disabled people and how easy or hard is for a disable person to adjust to this environment?
Jim: Personally I find it easier to talk with other through my avatar. Though it displays the same prosthetics I do it is a little easier to communicate my situation and I do not feel "judged". As for adjusting, to me it was fairly easy. The avatar moves like most games so that went quick. I am still learning to do some of teh other things like building.
Alcyan: In real life, people with disabilities sometimes experience discrimination from the non-disabled, how things are here in second life?
Jim: During my time here I have only experienced a minor form of discrimination once. It was not bad just very unexpected. Many of the people I am friends with have disabilities or are very aware of disabilities. That seems to help avoid those awkward situations. However, I do get around, when I am approached by someone seeing my prosthetics; it is usually questions and sharing experiences. I've made some good friends that way!
Alcyan: What is the message you would like to give to people with disabilities or without disabilities using this virtual environment?
Jim: SL is a very cool place where people from all walks can meet and have fun. Make new friends, experience new cultures and travel the world. It is a place where the abled and disabled can be themselves without feeling shunned or left out.
Alcyan: How technology helps disabled people?
Jim: I have friends that are blind and are online frequently. Without technology that would not be possible. The same is true for many other disabilities as they can find their way here and find friendship and community with others just trying to make life work.
Alcyan: What are the challenges using a virtual environment?
Jim: I believe the challenges are small in comparison to the gains. People find their way here and have no idea what to do or where to go. Some form of an intro course with helper signs would make that easier. It does not need to be much but how to walk and get around, maybe with a few tips on how to search for things. After all, there is a lot to see and if you don't know where to go or how to look for places to go this becomes more of a pain than a resolution.
Does Second Life break Real Life barriers and can we have some examples of such?
Yes, I believe it does. I return to blind people. In real life they do not get around much but in here can go anywhere and meet anyone. And those they meet would have no idea they are blind. The same is tru for those wheelchair bound. In RL some will shy away for a lack of understanding. Yet, in SL, that is not a problem. AND it is just as easy to have an avatar that looks normal run by someone with a disability and no one would ever know!
What are your closing comments about SL and VA?
VA and SL have been a means to learn and get motivated. I do more in RL as a result of some of those I meet in SL. I am inspired by some of the people and the situations they deal with. It makes me feel that I can do more, especially when they are doing more and have a difficult situation. I've learned a lot and grown even more. SL and VA have opened my eyes in many ways.