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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><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Completely blind.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Over 18.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Very proficient, would be at highest level if not for acquired hearing impairment. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'> NFBCS <nfbcs-bounces@nfbnet.org> <b>On Behalf Of </b>Lucas Nadolskis via NFBCS<br><b>Sent:</b> Friday, February 21, 2025 8:21 PM<br><b>To:</b> Gene Kim via NFBCS <nfbcs@nfbnet.org><br><b>Cc:</b> Lucas Nadolskis <lgnadolskis@gmail.com>; Apurv Varshney <apurv@ucsb.edu><br><b>Subject:</b> [NFBCS] Seeking Participants for a Survey on Understanding Navigation Strategies for Blind Individuals ($30 Compensation)<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=elementtoproof style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in;background:white'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Hello,</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=elementtoproof style='background:white'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>The </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#242424'><a href="https://bionicvisionlab.org/" title="https://bionicvisionlab.org/">Bionic Vision Lab</a></span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'> at UCSB is conducting a research survey to explore how blind individuals navigate urban and indoor environments. Our goal is to understand the strategies used for independent travel, the challenges faced, and how assistive technology can be improved to support mobility.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in;background:white'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>If you are <b>completely blind </b>and navigate independently primarily using a mobility cane, we invite you to participate. Your insights will help shape the future of accessible navigation tools.</span><o:p></o:p></p><h3 style='mso-margin-top-alt:14.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:4.0pt;margin-left:0in;background:white'><span style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Study Details:</span><span style='font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif;color:#242424'><o:p></o:p></span></h3><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li style='color:black;margin-top:12.0pt;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo1;background:white'><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>What’s involved?</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> A 45 to 60-minute survey about your navigation experiences, challenges, and strategies.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li style='color:black;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo1;background:white'><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Focus:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> Real-world navigation scenarios, assistive technology preferences, and mobility techniques.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li style='color:black;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo1;background:white'><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Confidentiality:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> Your responses will remain confidential and used only for research purposes.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li style='color:black;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo1;background:white'><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Compensation: </span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Participants will receive $30 in Amazon gift cards.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></li><li style='color:black;margin-bottom:12.0pt;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo1;background:white'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>There are no direct benefits for participating, but your valuable input will contribute to research aimed at improving accessibility and assistive technology for blind individuals.<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul><h3 style='mso-margin-top-alt:14.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:4.0pt;margin-left:0in;background:white'><span style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Eligibility Criteria:</span><span style='font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif;color:#242424'><o:p></o:p></span></h3><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li style='color:black;margin-top:12.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2;background:white'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Must be <b>completely blind</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li style='color:black;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2;background:white'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Must be <b>proficient in using a mobility cane</b> for independent navigation.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li style='color:black;margin-bottom:12.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2;background:white'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Must be <b>18 years or older</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul><h3 style='mso-margin-top-alt:14.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:4.0pt;margin-left:0in;background:white'><span style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>How to Participate:</span><span style='font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif;color:#242424'><o:p></o:p></span></h3><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in;background:white'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>If you meet the eligibility criteria and are interested, please reply to this email with the following information:</span><o:p></o:p></p><ol style='margin-top:0in' start=1 type=1><li style='color:black;margin-top:12.0pt;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3;background:white'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Confirm that you are <b>completely blind</b> and <b>proficient in using a mobility cane</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li style='color:black;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3;background:white'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Confirm that you are <b>18 years or older</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li style='color:black;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3;background:white'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Indicate your proficiency in using a cane for mobility on the following scale:<o:p></o:p></span></li><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=circle><li style='color:black;mso-list:l1 level2 lfo3;background:white'><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>1 – Not proficient at all:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> I struggle to use a cane and need significant assistance for navigation.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li style='color:black;mso-list:l1 level2 lfo3;background:white'><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>2 – Slightly proficient:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> I can use a cane but often find it challenging and may rely on other aids or occasional assistance.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li style='color:black;mso-list:l1 level2 lfo3;background:white'><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>3 – Moderately proficient:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> I use a cane with some confidence but still face occasional difficulties in complex environments.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li style='color:black;mso-list:l1 level2 lfo3;background:white'><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>4 – Very proficient:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> I am comfortable using a cane in most situations and can navigate independently in familiar and some unfamiliar areas.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li style='color:black;margin-bottom:12.0pt;mso-list:l1 level2 lfo3;background:white'><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>5 – Extremely proficient:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> I have mastered cane usage and can confidently navigate a wide range of environments, including unfamiliar or complex spaces, without assistance.<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul></ol><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in;background:white'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>If you have any questions about the study, feel free to contact us.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in;background:white'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Thank you for your time and consideration. We look forward to hearing from you!</span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='background:white'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Best regards,<br>Apurv Varshney</span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='background:white'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>PhD Student</span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='background:white'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Bionic Vision Lab (<a href="https://bionicvisionlab.org/" title="https://bionicvisionlab.org">https://bionicvisionlab.org</a>)</span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='background:white'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>University of California, Santa Barbara</span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='background:white'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Email: <a href="mailto:apurv@ucsb.edu" title="mailto:apurv@ucsb.edu">apurv@ucsb.edu</a></span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='background:white'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Phone: +1 805-837-4045</span><o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></div></body></html>