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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#467886" vlink="#96607D" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>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.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Research Title: Understanding and Supporting Non-Visual Collaboration of Data Visualization Statistical Concepts for Blind and Low-Vision Individuals<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Being conducted by: University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Purpose of the Study<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The purpose of this study is to characterize how blind and low-vision (BLV) individuals describe, reason about, and communicate statistical and data visualization concepts. We hope to identify the specific cognitive processes involved in non-visual spatial reasoning, specifically how BLV individuals create, refine, and share mental models of data visualizations. Ultimately, we want to learn how these mental models are altered or rectified through collaboration with sighted peers.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Role of the Participants and Anticipated Length of the Study <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>1. Participants will first complete an online survey via Qualtrics, which collects data on their educational background, familiarity with statistics, and preferred metaphors for spatial relationships.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>2. This initial survey portion will take approximately 15 minutes to complete.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>3. At the end of the survey, participants can indicate if they are willing to take part in a follow-up interview.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>4. A selected subset of up to 20 participants will then complete an in-depth Zoom interview focusing on how they create, produce, change, refine, and share mental models of statistical trends.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>5. This follow-up interview portion is expected to take 45 to 60 minutes per participant.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Proposed Participant Compensation<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>No, <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Link or Instructions for Participants to Enter the Study <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Link to the survey: https://illinois.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_d6HnYz7t9a5Uhy6 <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Note: On February 23 2026, we are waiting to get IRB amendment approval for adding explanations to the survey, else all content has been approved by IRB. Amendment approval anticipated in a week's time. This does not affect participants in any manner.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Contact the following individual with any questions <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Sanchita Kamath<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>7083345559<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>ssk11@illinois.edu<o:p></o:p></p><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><br clear=all style='page-break-before:always'></span><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-ligatures:none'>Mr. Anil Lewis, M.P.A.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-ligatures:none'>Executive Director, Blindness Initiatives </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><span style='mso-ligatures:none'>410-659-9314 ext. 2374 | <a href="mailto:alewis@nfb.org">alewis@nfb.org</a> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-ligatures:none'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Please consider helping with our end-of-year HumanWare matching campaign by <a href="https://nfb.org/donate">contributing today</a> and double your dollars. Thank you for making dreams come true.<a href="https://nfb.org/"><span style='border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in;mso-ligatures:none;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=210 height=76 style='width:2.1833in;height:.7916in' id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:~WRD0002.jpg" alt="Image removed by sender. National Federation of the Blind"></span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-ligatures:none'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-ligatures:none'>The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation\u2019s blind. Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives they want.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>