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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">The below research participant solicitation is being provided for informational purposes only. The National Federation of the Blind has no involvement in this research.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="margin:0in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="margin:0in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Dear Sir or Madam,
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="margin-bottom:6.0pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">My name is Mingxia Xue and I am a Masters of Textiles student at North Carolina State University. I am conducting research on
the legibility of braille in woven and knit fabric. The purpose of this study is to explore whether the development of a tactile braille structure can be woven or knitted into fabrics for the blind. My aim is to embed fabric information and care instructions
into clothing through braille structures to help the blind label and care for the clothing. The information that you provide will give me valuable insights into the legibility of braille structures on fabric that could ultimately be used in clothing for the
blind. Your participation in this study is voluntary.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="margin-bottom:6.0pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">To conduct this research, I am seeking participants who are the blind, above the age of 18, and can read grade 2 braille. To participate,
you will be sent fabric samples in the mail that have braille woven and knit into the material. Once you receive the samples, please do not open the package until we have an interview, which will take place over Zoom or on the phone. You will be asked a series
of questions related to your experience when reading the braille on the fabric samples and your purchase preferences. This interview will be audio-recorded and it will take 30-45 minutes to complete. You will not be asked to send the samples back.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="margin-bottom:6.0pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">If you would like to participate, please reply to this email address (<a href="mailto:mxue4@ncsu.edu"><span style="color:#1155CC">mxue4@ncsu.edu</span></a>)
with your phone number. I will contact you to obtain your verbal consent. This information will only be accessible to the research team on a password-protected file that will be deleted once the samples are sent. Audio recordings will also be password protected
and used for research purposes only.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">This research is minimal risk and there is no benefit to participants, though I hope that the information that is shared with me will help in the development of a braille system
that can be used in clothing for the blind.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">If you have questions at any time about the study itself or the procedures implemented in this study, you may contact me Mingxia Xue (<a href="mailto:mxue4@ncsu.edu">mxue4@ncsu.edu</a>,
9193278848) or my faculty advisor, Professor Kate Nartker (<a href="mailto:kenartke@ncsu.edu">kenartke@ncsu.edu</a>, 4158162393).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Thanks again for your time and effort.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="margin:0in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Mingxia Xue,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="margin:0in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Graduate Student, Wilson College of Textiles<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">North Carolina State University<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Lou Ann Blake, J.D.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Director of Research Programs, Blindness Initiatives<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">(410) 659-9314, extension 2221 | <a href="mailto:lblake@nfb.org">
lblake@nfb.org</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://nfb.org/"><span style="text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="210" height="76" style="width:2.1875in;height:.7916in" id="_x0000_i1028" src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/email/2/nfblogo.png" alt="National Federation of the Blind"></span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblind">
<span style="text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="24" height="24" style="width:.25in;height:.25in" id="_x0000_i1027" src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/email/2/facebook.png" alt="Facebook"></span></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/NFB_Voice"><span style="text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="24" height="24" style="width:.25in;height:.25in" id="_x0000_i1026" src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/email/2/twitter.png" alt="Twitter"></span></a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/NationsBlind"><span style="text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="24" height="24" style="width:.25in;height:.25in" id="_x0000_i1025" src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/email/2/youtube.png" alt="Youtube"></span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">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.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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