Families from the project’s test panel have now, for the first time, had the opportunity to explore the prototype being developed within the project.

The prototype combines the City of Gothenburg’s digital twin with new technologies and universal design principles, aiming to create a new digital version of the city environments - Citiverse. It is designed in a game-like format where users can move around and explore venues and environments.

The test panel consists mainly of families in Gothenburg with children and youths aged 4–21. All young participants have different types of disabilities, such as cognitive and intellectual disabilities. Families have tested the prototype on an iPad – and were able to experience the city environment digitally before visiting in real life.

This has been appreciated by both children, youths and parents, who describe the experience as engaging and an easier way to absorb information.

– We see a strong need for families to be able to prepare together, on their own terms, before visiting, for example, an arena or an event. In this way, citizens can feel safer and more included, says Jenny Lindström Beijar, leader of the project’s Work Package Inclusive User Centric Design Process.

The prototype is based on the principles of universal design – creating solutions that work for as many people as possible from the start, regardless of circumstances. In this way, the project aims to develop an inclusive, human-centered web-based tool where users can explore the city environment digitally before visiting it in person.

Families have provided valuable feedback: they have highlighted functions they would like to see in the future and identified digital barriers that still need to be lowered to make the experience fully inclusive.

This autumn, the prototype will continue with further tests, with the goal of gradually developing an entirely new tool that contributes to a more digital and inclusive Europe.