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The voices of the nations blind are essential to shaping a future that
truly reflects the needs and experiences of our community. During the
2025 National Federation of the Blind (NFB) National Conventiontaking
place from July 8 to July 13 in New Orleansyoull have the unique
opportunity to participate in research that focuses on technology,
educational tools, and services designed for and impacting blind people.
Your first-hand insights are invaluable; without the lived experiences of
blind and low vision individuals, research cannot be fully relevant,
inclusive, or effective. Participating in these studies not only helps
researchers design better solutions but ensures that the outcomes truly
benefit our community. As a token of appreciation, all research
participants will be compensated. Help drive innovation, influence
meaningful change, and ensure that the future is built with usnot just
for us. We encourage you to consider participating in one or more of the
following research opportunities and help design the next generation of
truly impactful products and services for the blind. <br><br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>CHROME Lab </b></h2><br><br>
Goal of the Project: We will bring 2 proposed technologies for NFB
convention attendees to explore and offer feedback. The first is a
touchscreen-based technology for exploring digital graphics with
vibration, audio, and text-to-speech features. The second is a device
that can be worn on the hands and used in conjunction with a touchscreen
to get richer tactile information than what touchscreen can usually
offer. In both studies, participants will be asked to use these devices
to interpret digital graphics like line graphs, scatter plots, and pie
charts. They'll answer some content questions about the graphs, questions
about their perception of the device's touch capabilities, and be asked
to give their feedback on ways to improve the devices. <br><br>
Time Commitment: Both studies will take 60-90 minutes and require
individual one-on-one participation with one of our researchers.
<br><br>
Compensation: If someone participates in both studies, they will be
compensated $100.<br><br>
Time Slots: July 8 and 9<br><br>
Participants: Must be blind or low vision, have fine motor skills; not
have a mobility impairment that affects their use of a touchscreen, not
have desensitized fingertips, and not have a significant cognitive
impairment. Some study components may utilize embossed graphics or
braille text. While it is preferred participants have experience in both,
it is not strictly required to participate in either study.<br><br>
Contact:
<a href="mailto:jen.tennison@slu.edu">jen.tennison@slu.edu</a><br><br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>Sam's Club </b></h2><br><br>
Goal of the Project: We want to provide impactful shopping experiences
that change the future of shopping. The focus of our current round of
research is regarding a seamless payment and exit experience. <br><br>
Time Commitment: 45 minutes<br><br>
Compensation: $75<br><br>
Participants: 10 participants who must be a blind or low vision in-person
bulk item shopper that is the primary payment purchaser. Those familiar
with a wholesale / warehouse club environment are preferred. Participants
should also have access to any mobile device they use while shopping
available during the research.<br><br>
Time Slots: July 9-10 from 9:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. central<br><br>
Contact: <a href="mailto:alewis@nfb.org">alewis@nfb.org</a> <br><br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>Renaissance Learning </b></h2><br><br>
Goal of the Project: We would like to conduct usability testing of the
Star Reading, Star Math, and Star Early literacy computer adaptive
assessment. These Renaissance assessments are used across the nation in
K-12 schools to help screen students. Renaissance has been working on
making these assessments accessible and would like to see how accessible
they really are so that we can make improvements if needed. We
would like to meet with K-8<sup>th</sup> grade students individually to
conduct a usability test of one of these assessments. We would observe
the student take the assessment. <br><br>
Time Commitment: Each session will take about 45 minutes<br><br>
Compensation: Each student will be compensated with a $50 e-gift card of
their choice. <br><br>
Participants: In K-8th grade who are blind or visually impaired;
proficient with the JAWS screen reader and primarily rely on the screen
reader audio; and primarily use a keyboard for navigation. We would
conduct the research with each student individually, but
parents/guardians are required to stay during the
session. <br><br>
Time Slots: July 8, 9 & 10<br><br>
Contact: Please use this link to apply to the study:<br><br>
<a href="https://www.userinterviews.com/projects/DV2dx8HkWg/apply">
https://www.userinterviews.com/projects/DV2dx8HkWg/apply</a><br><br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>Humanware </b></h2><br><br>
Goal of the Project: Share your experience with braille displays!
Are you a braille reader who has used a refreshable braille display? If
so, we want to hear from you! Were inviting participants to take
part in an exclusive Voice of Customer (VOC) session focused on how you
read using braille displays. Your insights will help shape the future of
braille technology, ensuring it meets the needs of users like you. Your
feedback is invaluable in helping us develop solutions that truly work
for the braille community. During the session, well discuss: how you
interact with braille displays; your reading preferences and challenges;
features that enhance or hinder your experience; and experience reading
braille with new braille technology.<br><br>
Time Commitment: approximately 60 minutes<br><br>
Compensation: We know your time is precious and therefore all who attend
will receive a $25 Amazon gift card. <br><br>
Participants: Must be a braille reader and have experience using a
refreshable braille display. We will be capturing the audio of each
session and thus participants consent to being recorded.<br><br>
Time Slots: OPEN<br><br>
Contact:
<a href="https://visit.humanware.com/e/3332/qHqxCw3rNcnuBpmf9/7bsc13/1593318038/h/ahs00vcwFeUf3k-3e74O-SOu73p6nyz31O2Z35VyLhw">
Sign up by completing the Google form</a>.<br><br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>The National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled at
the Library of Congress</b></h2><br><br>
Goal of the Project: The National Library Service for the Blind and Print
Disabled (NLS) at the Library of Congress is seeking paid user feedback
on its new online enrollment form. The form, when launched, will allow
potential patrons to sign up for NLS service online for the first time in
NLS history. <br><br>
Time Commitment: 20 minutes<br><br>
Compensation: TBD<br><br>
Participants: NLS Patrons<br><br>
Time Slot: July 12, between 6:00 and 7:30 p.m.<br><br>
Contact: Please complete the interest form:
<a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JDCKJFG">
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JDCKJFG</a><br><br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>Oracle </b></h2><br><br>
Goal of the Project: The purpose of the research is to test different UI
patterns, including Oracle Redwoods latest design for the search or grid
experience. Our goal is to ensure that the experiences we are designing,
especially for new design patterns, are not only compliant but as usable
and accessible as possible for our diverse users. Observing how users
interact with our software and recording the sessions to bring back to
our design and development teams have been invaluable for upleveling our
teams accessibility awareness and action. <br><br>
Time Commitment: 60-90 minutes, depending on participants interest and
stamina<br><br>
Compensation: We typically provide some sort of Oracle swag
<br><br>
Participants: 15-20<br><br>
Time Slots: July 8-10<br><br>
Contact: Phone 909-655-0950<br><br>
<br><br>
<br><br>
Mr. Anil Lewis, M.P.A.<br><br>
Executive Director, Blindness Initiatives <br><br>
410-659-9314 ext. 2374 |
<a href="mailto:alewis@nfb.org">alewis@nfb.org</a> <br><br>
<br><br>
National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute<br><br>
200 East Wells Street<br><br>
Baltimore, Maryland 21230<br><br>
<a href="https://nfb.org/">
<img src="cid:7.1.0.9.2.20250619090645.06fc09f8@comcast.net.1" width=210 height=76 alt="National Federation of the Blind">
</a><br><br>
The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and
friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nations blind. Every
day we work together to help blind people live the lives they
want.<br><br>
<br><br>
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