[Perform-talk] OT: Pennsylvania Jaws users sought for blog accessibility study, compensation given

[Donna Hill]

Hi Friends,
The following is from Dr. Brian Wentz, Keystone College.
Donna
***
My name is Dr. Brian Wentz, and I am an instructor of Information 
Technology in the Division of Business, Management, and Technology at 
Keystone College
in La Plume, PA.  I and three of my Information Technology students are 
conducting a research study with users who are blind to learn more about 
the usability
of adding comments on web-based blog interfaces.

With a better understanding of what specific problems are experienced, 
the goal is to provide some concrete suggestions for improving the user 
experience.
The hope is that the results of this study will have beneficial effects 
to make blog posting more usable for blind users.

Participants will be asked to answer questions for a pre-session survey. 
Next they will conduct a number of tasks in certain blog interfaces as 
described
by the researchers. These tasks will be completed on a pre-configured 
netbook with the JAWS screen reader, an external keyboard, and 
pre-configured blog
accounts. While performing these tasks, the researchers will write down 
observational notes. Keystrokes on the computer will also be recorded 
using keylogging
software. After attempting the tasks in the blog interfaces, 
participants will be asked additional questions to summarize the experience.

The approximate time required to participate in this research is 30-45 
minutes, and we can travel to your home or workplace to conduct the 
evaluation.
We will bring all necessary equipment, so you will not need to provide 
anything.

Participation in this study is voluntary, and you are at liberty to 
withdraw your consent to the experiment and discontinue participation at 
any time without
prejudice. Personal information or accounts will not be used at any time.

All information will remain strictly confidential, and once it is 
anonymized the original information will be stored in a locked safe in 
my office at Keystone
College. Only Brian Wentz will have access to this safe.
For your participation in this study, you will receive compensation 
which will be payable after the evaluation session. To participate, you 
must be 18
years or older, must have experience with the JAWS screen reader, and 
have no residual vision and not be able to use screen magnification 
software. We
expect to be in the Pittsburgh area March 14-16, in the Philadelphia 
area, March 17-18, in the Harrisburg area March 21, and we have flexible 
dates for
the Scranton area. If you are interested in participating, please 
contact me at
brian.wentz at keystone.edu


Thank you,
Brian Wentz
717-514-9891




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