[Greater-baltimore] FW: research participants needed--Baltimore area

[Danielsen, Chris]

Fellow Federationists:

I am forwarding an e-mail I have received about a research study related
to orientation and mobility. Please feel free to contact the author of
the e-mail if you feel that you are qualified for this study and would
like to participate.

Thank you:

Chris Danielsen, Chapter President
 

Hello, I am contacting you because I am recruiting subjects for a study
being conducted by Janet Barlow and Beezy Bentzen which is part of a
larger research project for the National Eye Institue (NEI) of NIH on
accessibility of intersections. I am hopeful that you will be able to
put me in contact with, or provide phone numbers of people who fit the
requirements of the study and who might be interested in participating.
This  study will take place November 8-15 in Towson MD.  It is helpful
if potential participants live in the Towson/Baltimore area, but this is
not necessary.  Transportation will be a privately contracted limo
service that will pick you up from home, office or other prearranged
location.

Participant Criteria:
*	Vision:  Insufficient vision to locate a pushbutton pole, see
crosswalk lines, or visually distinguish a corner.
*	Hearing: Within normal range, or no worse than mild hearing
loss.  
*	Other disabilities:  no peripheral neuropathy, or orthopedic or
gait problems, that might be expected to impair their ability to
establish and maintain a heading.
*         Travel skills:  Experienced in the use of a long cane.  Should
cross streets independently.  Individuals who customarily use a dog will
use a cane for these activities since dogs will likely be confused by
repetitive trials.  Participants should consider themselves comfortable
with using a cane.  Within these parameters, various travel skill levels
are desirable. 

Each participant will be individually scheduled for a two hour time
slot.  If it rains, sessions will be rescheduled.  The exact location of
the study is not being shared at this time because it is necessary for
participants to be unfamiliar with the particular intersection being
studied.  Participants will receive a $50 honorarium for participation
in the research.  All transportation costs will be paid by the project.
Participants will not have any uncompensated costs.

If you can think of someone who might be interested in the training,
please feel free to forward this email to them with my contact
information or to send me a list of names with phone number and/or email
so that I might contact them personally.  Confidentiality will be
respected.  

If you have any questions, please feel free to give me a call or email.

Thank you,
Melanie Hughes
cell phone:  540-729-8935
home email: n2organic at msn.com

work info:
Melanie J. Hughes, COMS
Orientation and Mobility Specialist
VA Dept. for the Blind and Vision Impaired
11150 Fairfax Blvd., Suite 502
Fairfax VA 22030
703-359-1104