[Massachusetts-NFB] FW: [Nfbnet-members-list] Fwd: Paid Research Opportunities for NFB National Convention Attendees

Sat Jun 21 02:41:41 UTC 2025

The voices of the nation’s blind are essential to shaping a future that truly reflects the needs and experiences of our community. During the 2025 National Federation of the Blind (NFB) National Conventiontaking place from July 8 to July 13 in New Orleansyou’ll have the unique opportunity to participate in research that focuses on technology, educational tools, and services designed for and impacting blind people. Your first-hand insights are invaluable; without the lived experiences of blind and low vision individuals, research cannot be fully relevant, inclusive, or effective. Participating in these studies not only helps researchers design better solutions but ensures that the outcomes truly benefit our community. As a token of appreciation, all research participants will be compensated. Help drive innovation, influence meaningful change, and ensure that the future is built with usnot just for us. We encourage you to consider participating in one or more of the following research opportunities and help design the next generation of truly impactful products and services for the blind. 

CHROME Lab 

Goal of the Project: We will bring 2 proposed technologies for NFB convention attendees to explore and offer feedback. The first is a touchscreen-based technology for exploring digital graphics with vibration, audio, and text-to-speech features. The second is a device that can be worn on the hands and used in conjunction with a touchscreen to get richer tactile information than what touchscreen can usually offer. In both studies, participants will be asked to use these devices to interpret digital graphics like line graphs, scatter plots, and pie charts. They'll answer some content questions about the graphs, questions about their perception of the device's touch capabilities, and be asked to give their feedback on ways to improve the devices. 

Time Commitment: Both studies will take 60-90 minutes and require individual one-on-one participation with one of our researchers.  

Compensation: If someone participates in both studies, they will be compensated $100.

Time Slots: July 8 and 9

Participants: Must be blind or low vision, have fine motor skills; not have a mobility impairment that affects their use of a touchscreen, not have desensitized fingertips, and not have a significant cognitive impairment. Some study components may utilize embossed graphics or braille text. While it is preferred participants have experience in both, it is not strictly required to participate in either study.

Contact: jen.tennison at slu.edu <mailto:jen.tennison at slu.edu> 

Sam's Club 

Goal of the Project: We want to provide impactful shopping experiences that change the future of shopping. The focus of our current round of research is regarding a seamless payment and exit experience. 

Time Commitment: 45 minutes

Compensation: $75

Participants: 10 participants who must be a blind or low vision in-person bulk item shopper that is the primary payment purchaser. Those familiar with a wholesale / warehouse club environment are preferred. Participants should also have access to any mobile device they use while shopping available during the research.

Time Slots: July 9-10 from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. central

Contact: alewis at nfb.org <mailto:alewis at nfb.org>  

Renaissance Learning 

Goal of the Project: We would like to conduct usability testing of the Star Reading, Star Math, and Star Early literacy computer adaptive assessment. These Renaissance assessments are used across the nation in K-12 schools to help screen students. Renaissance has been working on making these assessments accessible and would like to see how accessible they really are so that we can make improvements if needed.  We would like to meet with K-8th grade students individually to conduct a usability test of one of these assessments. We would observe the student take the assessment. 

Time Commitment: Each session will take about 45 minutes

Compensation: Each student will be compensated with a $50 e-gift card of their choice.  

Participants: In K-8th grade who are blind or visually impaired; proficient with the JAWS screen reader and primarily rely on the screen reader audio; and primarily use a keyboard for navigation. We would conduct the research with each student individually, but parents/guardians are required to stay during the session.       

Time Slots: July 8, 9 & 10

Contact: Please use this link to apply to the study:

https://www.userinterviews.com/projects/DV2dx8HkWg/apply

Humanware 

Goal of the Project: Share your experience with braille displays!  Are you a braille reader who has used a refreshable braille display? If so, we want to hear from you!  We’re inviting participants to take part in an exclusive Voice of Customer (VOC) session focused on how you read using braille displays. Your insights will help shape the future of braille technology, ensuring it meets the needs of users like you. Your feedback is invaluable in helping us develop solutions that truly work for the braille community. During the session, we’ll discuss: how you interact with braille displays; your reading preferences and challenges; features that enhance or hinder your experience; and experience reading braille with new braille technology.

Time Commitment: approximately 60 minutes

Compensation: We know your time is precious and therefore all who attend will receive a $25 Amazon gift card. 

Participants: Must be a braille reader and have experience using a refreshable braille display. We will be capturing the audio of each session and thus participants consent to being recorded.

Time Slots: OPEN

Contact: Sign up by completing the Google form <https://visit.humanware.com/e/3332/qHqxCw3rNcnuBpmf9/7bsc13/1593318038/h/ahs00vcwFeUf3k-3e74O-SOu73p6nyz31O2Z35VyLhw> .

The National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled at the Library of Congress

Goal of the Project: The National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) at the Library of Congress is seeking paid user feedback on its new online enrollment form. The form, when launched, will allow potential patrons to sign up for NLS service online for the first time in NLS history. 

Time Commitment: 20 minutes

Compensation: TBD

Participants: NLS Patrons

Time Slot: July 12, between 6:00 and 7:30 p.m.

Contact: Please complete the interest form: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JDCKJFG

Oracle 

Goal of the Project: The purpose of the research is to test different UI patterns, including Oracle Redwood’s latest design for the search or grid experience. Our goal is to ensure that the experiences we are designing, especially for new design patterns, are not only compliant but as usable and accessible as possible for our diverse users. Observing how users interact with our software and recording the sessions to bring back to our design and development teams have been invaluable for upleveling our teams’ accessibility awareness and action.  

Time Commitment: 60-90 minutes, depending on participant’s interest and stamina

Compensation: We typically provide some sort of Oracle swag  

Participants: 15-20

Time Slots: July 8-10

Contact: Phone 909-655-0950

Mr. Anil Lewis, M.P.A.

Executive Director, Blindness Initiatives 

410-659-9314 ext. 2374 | alewis at nfb.org <mailto:alewis at nfb.org>  

National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute

200 East Wells Street

Baltimore, Maryland 21230

 <https://nfb.org/> 

The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation’s blind. Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives they want.

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