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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#467886" vlink="#96607D" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Research Participation Request: Designing for BLV users<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>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.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Research Title: Designing for BLV users<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Being conducted by: University of Massachusetts Amherst<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Purpose of the Study<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The purpose of this study is to understand how Blind and Low Vision (BLV) individuals can rethink assistive technology by using a user-centered design process and eventually help us to improve upcoming technology. We hope to learn how BLV users, if given the opportunity, to design and rethink assistive technologies themselves.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><br>Role of the Participants and Anticipated Length of the Study <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We ask the participant to take part in a semi-structured interview. Prior to beginning the interview, participants read a consent form in which they are provided with all the details regarding the study. If they agree to participate in the study, they will be asked to type in their name as a signature, after which we will proceed to the interview. If they disagree to sign, the interview ends right there.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The study will be a semi-structured interview where the participants will be answering a series of questions regarding assistive technology (more details can be found in the sample interview questions doc attached). We will also be asking the participants to clarify or elaborate on some of the statements if needed.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>In the last few minutes, we will explain to them what the next part of the 4-week-long study entails and ask them if they are interested in participating in that. If they agree, we will communicate with them the details of the study via their chosen method of correspondence. At the end of the interview, they will be asked to complete a survey and fill in some demographic details.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>After that, we start the 4-week-long hands-off study. Participants will be asked to complete 8 tasks in the span of the next 4 weeks (4 tasks for each prompt, and 2 prompts in total), where they will be compensated for each task separately (more details in the doc).<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>After the completion of these tasks, they will be required to take part in another semi-structured interview following a similar procedure to the first one, where we will be asking them questions regarding their thoughts about the homework and craft materials.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>A box of craft materials will be mailed to the participant via USPS or UPS after they agree to participate in the 4-week-long study.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Proposed Participant Compensation<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Yes, Introductory interview - $20<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>First 2 weeks<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Task 1 - $15<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Task 2 - $20<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Task 3 - $25<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Task 4 - $30<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The same compensation will be provided as participants will perform the same tasks over the next 2 weeks in a different scenario.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Final interview - $15<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Link or Instructions for Participants to Enter the Study <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>They can fill out this screener survey<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://forms.gle/NTwvxcHwwgXF5WiBA">https://forms.gle/NTwvxcHwwgXF5WiBA</a> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Contact the following individual with any questions <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Aimen Gaba<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>4135375082<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="mailto:agaba@umass.edu">agaba@umass.edu</a> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>