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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>of Working Age Americans with Legal Blindness<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><h2>Research Participation Request: Workforce Engagement: A Survey of Employment Barriers, Motivators, and Outcomes of Working Age Americans with Legal Blindness<o:p></o:p></h2><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'> <br><br>The below research participant solicitation is being provided for informational purposes only. The National Federation of the Blind has no involvement in this research, but we believe that it may contribute to our research mission.<br><br> <o:p></o:p></p><h2>Research Title: Workforce Engagement: A Survey of Employment Barriers, Motivators, and Outcomes of Working Age Americans with Legal Blindness<o:p></o:p></h2><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'>Being conducted by: The Envision Research Institute<o:p></o:p></p><h2>Purpose of the Study<o:p></o:p></h2><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'>The purpose of this research is to identify key barriers and enablers to labor force participation for working age adults with legal blindness. We hope to learn from participants how they perceive the significance of various deterrents and motivators for pursuing employment while having vision loss.<o:p></o:p></p><h2> <br><br><br>Role of the Participants and Anticipated Length of the Study <o:p></o:p></h2><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'>Participants will complete a survey questionnaire either independently or with assistance. <br><br>Those choosing the independent option will receive step-by-step instruction to visit an online survey form and respond to objective-type questions on disability/accessibility, education/employment background, and perspective on workforce participation. <br><br>Those opting for assistance will virtually meet a member of the research team and verbally respond to the same survey questions. <br><br>Estimated time to complete the survey is 30 minutes. However actual time spent may depend on individual circumstances.<br><br>Call for Research Volunteers<br><br>1. Are you an adult under 65 years of age?<br><br>2. Do you have a vision impairment that qualifies as legal blindness?<br><br>3. Do you presently reside in the U.S? <br><br>If you answered YES to these 3 questions, we invite you to participate in research on employment-related decisions and outcomes of Americans with vision loss.<br><br>We are an interdisciplinary team of researchers affiliated with the Envision Research Institute and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee that is investigating how to enhance the labor force participation of working-age, legally blind Americans. Over 56% working-age Americans living with vision loss are out of the labor force. However, why so many of them choose not to participate in the labor force is still a conundrum. To address this knowledge gap, we are conducting a nationwide survey of working-age, legally blind adults about the deterrence, motivations, and outcomes of labor force participation. Findings of the survey will guide the development of research strategies, best practices, and programs to make the labor market more attractive and inclusive of Americans with vision loss.<br><br>What does participation involve?<br><br>Complete an online questionnaire (containing a series of objective-type questions) independently or with assistance. Those opting to complete independently will receive step-by-step instructions. Those opting for assistance will be interviewed by a member of the research team.<br><br>How much time is needed to complete the survey?<br><br>Between 30 to 45 minutes. Actual time spent may vary depending on individual circumstances.<br><br>What are the risks and benefits?<br><br>There is no major risk or direct benefit for participating in the survey. Participant feedback will contribute towards enhanced labor force participation of working age adults with vision loss. Anyone completing the survey will have the option to enter their name into a raffle drawing to win prizes. <br><br>I’m interested. What should I do? <br><br>Tell us a bit about yourself and how to contact you by visiting the below link:<br><br><a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/59PQ6CX">https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/59PQ6CX</a> <o:p></o:p></p><h2>Proposed Participant Compensation<o:p></o:p></h2><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'>Yes, Names of participants who complete the survey will be entered into a raffle drawing. Prizes include a $100 first prize, five $50 second prizes, and twenty-five $10 third prizes.<o:p></o:p></p><h2>Link or Instructions for Participants to Enter the Study <o:p></o:p></h2><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/59PQ6CX">https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/59PQ6CX</a> <o:p></o:p></p><h2>Contact the following individual with any questions <o:p></o:p></h2><p class=MsoNormal>Rakesh Babu<br><br>3164401519<br><br><a href="mailto:rakesh.babu@envisionus.com">rakesh.babu@envisionus.com</a><br><br> <o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>