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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><h2>Research Participation Request: <span style='font-size:13.0pt;line-height:106%'>Evaluation of Visual Question Answering for Accessibility</span><o:p></o:p></h2><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;line-height:106%'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;line-height:106%'>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.</span><o:p></o:p></p><h2><br>Research Title: <span style='font-size:13.0pt;line-height:106%'>Evaluation of Visual Question Answering for Accessibility</span><o:p></o:p></h2><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;line-height:106%'>Being conducted by: Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (RERC)<o:p></o:p></span></p><h2>Purpose of the Study<o:p></o:p></h2><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;line-height:106%'>Our research team is studying how assistive technologies like BeMyAI can be improved to be more useful for blind people. Specifically, we are focusing on mobile applications that automatically answer questions based on a photo that blind users take or upload. We hope this data helps us understand current gaps and opportunities for improving this technology especially if there is a way for blind users to adjust it to their own needs and circumstances.<o:p></o:p></span></p><h2>Role of the Participants and Anticipated Length of the Study <o:p></o:p></h2><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;line-height:106%'>This study involves two interviews conducted approximately 10 days apart: one at the beginning and one at the end of the study. The first interview will take place in person at the University of Maryland, College Park, where we will support the participant in installing and trying out the BeMyAI app for a few short scenarios. After this session, the participant use the app independently for 10 days, sharing their own interactions with the app. Each evening, we'll ask them to answer a few brief reflection questions about their experience that day. The second interview will be conducted via Zoom or any other video conferencing or voice call platform that they prefer where we ask questions about their experience with the app.<o:p></o:p></span></p><h2>Proposed Participant Compensation<o:p></o:p></h2><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;line-height:106%'>Yes, $300 for full participation<o:p></o:p></span></p><h2>Link or Instructions for Participants to Enter the Study <o:p></o:p></h2><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;line-height:106%'>Please send an email to </span><a href="mailto:farnaz@umd.edu"><span style='font-size:14.0pt;line-height:106%'>farnaz@umd.edu</span></a><span style='font-size:14.0pt;line-height:106%'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><h2>Contact the following individual with any questions <o:p></o:p></h2><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;line-height:106%'>Farnaz</span><span style='font-size:14.0pt;line-height:106%'> Zamiri<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;line-height:106%'>2026422334</span><span style='font-size:14.0pt;line-height:106%'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><a href="mailto:farnaz@umd.edu"><span style='font-size:14.0pt;line-height:106%'>farnaz@umd.edu</span></a><span style='font-size:14.0pt;line-height:106%'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>