[NFBP-Talk] Research Participation Request: Overcoming Tactile Clutter With Coating in Tactile Graphics and Overcoming Tactile Clutter Using Coatings on Tactile Challenge Cards

[David Andrews]

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.


Purpose: We are graduate students at the University of Delaware 
working under Dr. Charles Dhong and are investigating how to overcome 
tactile clutter in tactile graphics by using coatings, instead of the 
typical route of only using different patterns or textures.

We have two ongoing studies which we are hoping to recruit participants for:

Study 1: During the study, participants will be presented with grids 
of texture where one square in that grid has a different texture. The 
grids will vary in texture, size, and spacing. In the first task, 
participants will seek out the varying texture swatch without any 
material coatings. In the second, the varying texture swatch will 
have a coating applied to the texture they are seeking to see if 
speed or accuracy improves.

The study is expected to take roughly 2 hours, although some 
participants may take faster or slower than others. This includes 
time for as many breaks as the participant wishes throughout the 
duration, and they are always welcome to end their participation at 
any time. Participants will still receive compensation even if they 
terminate their participation.

Study 2: During the study, participants will be presented with 
challenge cards containing different shapes and textures. In each 
round, they will be asked to locate and identify the matching shape 
or texture on other cards. The study will be conducted both with and 
without coatings. We will compare performance to see whether coatings 
improve recognition.

The study is expected to take roughly 1 hour, although some 
participants may take faster or slower than others.

Participants are welcome to as many breaks as they wish during the 
duration of the studies, and are always welcome to end their 
participation at any time. Participants will still receive 
compensation even if they terminate their participation.

Eligibility: Individuals who have low vision or blindness and have 
exposure to high-school level mathematics. Participants may be 
excluded if they have a history of neurological disorders (e.g., 
brain damage, epilepsy, etc.). Anyone who has experienced severe 
injuries to fingers, such as severe burns, may also be excluded.

Individuals who are not 18 years of age or older additionally require 
parental consent alongside their own.

Compensation: We offer $20 Amazon gift cards to participants for each 
task/study they participate in.

For the studies described here, participants will receive $40 in 
Study 1 and $20 in Study 2. Participants are welcome to take part in 
one or both studies.

Contact information if interested: If interested in taking part in 
one or both studies, please contact 
<mailto:dhonglabrecruitment at gmail.com>dhonglabrecruitment at gmail.com. 
We will answer the email to set up a date, time, and location for the 
study. We can travel to a location convenient for participants, or 
they can come to the university if interested.

These research studies have been reviewed and approved by the 
University of Delaware Institutional Review Board (UD IRB), which is 
a committee formally designated to approve, monitor, and review 
biomedical and behavioral research involving humans.
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