Virtual Reality for Cultural Heritage: Emotional Involvement and Design for All

Virtual Reality (VR) is emerging as a powerful tool in the cultural heritage sector, offering unprecedented opportunities for integration and accessibility. Applying the principles of "design for all" in VR is crucial for improving accessibility and inclusion of different user groups, including people with disabilities. VR technology offers the opportunity to overcome physical, economic and geographic barriers, democratizing cultural experiences and promoting their understanding and appreciation. However, the digital divide and the specific needs of different user groups, including older people and people with disabilities, present significant issues. Thus, there is a need to design VR experiences that address different sensory modalities and user needs, with a focus on customizable interfaces and adaptive features. Furthermore, immersive cultural experiences in VR have the potential to evoke emotional and cultural engagement that mirrors the impact of visiting real cultural sites. Ongoing research into measuring the users' emotional responses in VR cultural environments is a cornerstone of this work. This research explores these aspects contributing to the development of VR applications that are not only technologically innovative but also emotionally engaging and accessible, thus strengthening the role of VR in education and cultural exchange.