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The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) Jernigan Institute is again
collaborating with the Smith-Kettlewell Video Description Research and
Development Center to host a stakeholder focus group on advanced concepts
in video description. The focus group will be held during the 2013 NFB
National Convention in Orlando, Florida. This year there will be two
sessions for slightly different audiences. There is only space for
ten attendees in each session, and participants must register in advance
for this important meeting.<br>
<br>
Both sessions will be held Monday, July 1. Session I will be from
10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and Session II will be from 1:00-3:00 p.m. (the
exact meeting room will be announced prior to the convention). <br>
<br>
Those interested in participating in this focus group should send an
e-mail to Beth Braun at the NFB Jernigan Institute
(<a href="mailto:bbraun@nfb.org">bbraun@nfb.org</a>) with the following
information: <br>
<br>
*
Your full name <br>
*
The best e-mail address to use in communicating with you prior to the
convention <br>
*
A cell phone number that can be used to reach you at the convention <br>
*
Are you blind? <br>
*
Are you fluent in English?<br>
*
Are you a non-native English speaker?<br>
*
An indication of which of the following categories applies to you
(include all that apply): <br>
o
K-12 student <br>
o
Undergraduate student <br>
o
Graduate student <br>
o
Teacher of blind students <br>
o
Rehabilitation professional <br>
o
Educator not working with blind students <br>
o
Parent of a blind child <br>
o
Consumer of video description<br>
o
Professional not working in a blindness- or education-related field <br>
<br>
Session I: <br>
An opportunity for sighted amateur describers to evaluate
YouDescribeSmith-Kettlewell's new Web-based video-description tool for
YouTube. Participants will test the system by recording their own
descriptions for selected videos and report on their experience.
<br><br>
Session II: <br>
An opportunity for blind video description consumers to evaluate
YouDescribeSmith-Kettlewell's new Web-based video-description tool for
YouTube. Participants will test the system by navigating the Web site to
listen to selected described YouTube videos and will report on their
experience. <br>
<br>
Participants in Session II will need to provide their own Windows7,
Apple, or Chrome laptop, and must be familiar with their screen-reading
software and Web browser. The laptops must have Wi-Fi connectivity (Wi-Fi
provided). They will also need to provide their own headphones.
<br>
<br>
Please respond with your interest no later than June 10.<br>
<br>
Note that we will not pick participants on a first-come-first-served
basis but rather to ensure that the focus group has a good mix of
perspectives.<br>
<br>
If you are unable to e-mail your interest in the focus group, you can
reach Beth at (410) 659-9314, extension 2369.<br>
<br>
Thank you for your interest in shaping future developments in the
description industry.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
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