<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto"><div><br></div><blockquote type="cite"><div><div class="WordSection1"><p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-size:16.0pt">The GfK usability research team is conducting a number of usability studies with individuals who are blind or have low vision and who use IM software to communicate with others.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-size:16.0pt">By volunteering to participate in this research, you will have the opportunity to influence changes in the way digital communication tools support accessibility and universal design to allow people with disabilities to communicate and stay connected with friends, family, and colleagues. Major software manufacturers are making heavy investments to address accessibility in communication tools across PCs, tablets, and mobile devices, and this is your opportunity to have a voice in those changes.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-size:16.0pt">We will be asking willing participants to come to a research facility in New York City for a one-on-one interview lasting approximately two hours. Participants will be compensated $150 for their time.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-size:16.0pt">Interested respondents are invited to provide some preliminary information to the research team by filling out an online survey. Those who qualify will be contacted directly with more details and to schedule interviews.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-size:16.0pt">Please click the link below to be directed to the online survey, hosted by Survey Monkey. The survey should take about 10 minutes. All responses to the survey will be kept confidential by GfK, and only the immediate UX research team will have access to them.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><b><span style="font-size:18.0pt"><a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Useablecommunications-national"><span style="color:windowtext;text-decoration:none">https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Useablecommunications-national</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-size:16.0pt">Thank you for your interest in helping to make communication tools accessible and useable for all.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-size:16.0pt">Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-size:16.0pt">Kirsten Jerch, Senior Lead UX Specialist, GfK UX<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></div></blockquote></body></html>