A virtual collaboration system provides communication between a plurality of participants via a collaboration session that includes a corresponding plurality of participant devices. The collaboration session facilitates communication between the participant devices via a plurality of communication channels over which the participants communicate. For example, in some embodiments, the channels include one or more of a video channel, audio channel, or document sharing channel. A participant designates in which of the plurality of channels they will participate, and the designations are communicated to other participants. This provides a broader understanding of each participant's circumstances and ability to engage across the different channels with the plurality of participants.