When I decided to start this magazine, I did a research of what Second Life is. Until that time I thought that second life is just, sex, sex clubs, sex fun, nude, nude beaches, sex and sex again. On first issue I did a short editorial of what second life is. I was very surprised from the information I managed to find, especially when I found out that handicap people or people with disabilities uses second life.
Participation in leisure activities is a fundamental human right and an important factor of quality of life. Adults with intellectual disabilities and physical disabilities often experience limited opportunities to participate in leisure activities, virtual reality (VR) technologies may serve to broaden their repertoire of accessible leisure activities.
The virtual world of Second Life offers people with disabilities a chance to explore new worlds without being limited by their disabilities. Many people with disabilities use Second Life for information, support, and entertainment. Since Second Life is a computer-based simulated environment in which participants are represented by a human-like avatar that can move through the environment, manipulate objects, and participate in day-to-day activities that most people take for granted, such as walking, dancing, and communicating, this virtual environment is ideal for the entertainment and the creativity that hides inside people with disabilities. The benefits that information, socialization, and community membership can offer to people with disabilities and some of the resources that are available for them in Second Life such as communities, groups, and activities also help increase self-worth and empower people with disabilities. Participating in a virtual world enriches the overall quality of life of people with disabilities and may enhance their physical, emotional, and social adjustment
According to Wilson PN., Foreman N. and Stanton D. from the department of Psychology at the University of Leicester in the UK (1997): Virtual reality, or virtual environment computer technology, generates simulated objects and events with which people can interact. Existing and potential applications for this technology in the field of disability and rehabilitation are discussed. The main benefits identified for disabled people are that they can engage in a range of activities in a simulator relatively free from the limitations imposed by their disability, and they can do so in safety. Evidence that the knowledge and skills acquired by disabled individuals in simulated environments can transfer to the real world is presented. In particular, spatial information and life skills learned in a virtual environment have been shown to transfer to the real world. Applications for visually impaired people are discussed, and the potential for medical interventions and the assessment and treatment of neurological damage are considered. Finally some current limitations of the technology, and ethical concerns in relation to disability, are discussed.
According to Biswas P. and Samantha D. - Computer Laboratory, University of Cambridge, UK (2008): Computers offer valuable opportunities to people with physical disabilities. For example, a computer can allow someone with severe speech and motor-impairment to engage more fully with the world. Computers design a communication aid for motor-impaired users, who literally use computers as their communication partners. Currently, a low cost interface suitable for different types of motor-impaired users is hardly available. Additionally, the target audience of existing such systems is very much limited. The present work solved these problems by its adaptation mechanism. The adaptation mechanism provides an appropriate interface from an interface bank for each user before start of an interaction. The adaptation mechanism is continued during as well as after the end of interactions to make the system personalized to individual user.