[NFB-Seniors] Want you all to know of these possibilities - FW: [Nfbnet-members-list] Participants needed for University of Michigan Studies at 2019 NFB national convention

Wed Jun 26 12:57:22 UTC 2019

Our Seniors Division President wants us all to know of the following convention related opportunities to help out the following researchers, by participating in one or more of the below studies; and make a few dollars doing so:

  The below research participant solicitations for three research studies being conducted during the 2019 NFB national convention are 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. 

  Study 1: Leaving Las Vegas! 

  Researchers from the University of Michigan School of Information are 
  conducting a study about Web accessibility for users with visual impairments. We are looking for participants who are:

  *         18 years of age or older

  *         Users of screen readers

  *         Frequent users of the Internet on desktop or laptop 
  computing devices

  This study will take place in person at the Mandalay Bay Hotel during the NFB National Convention. Times are available between 9:00AM and 9:00 PM on Monday July 8th and Tuesday July 9th. 

  During the study, you will be asked to book an imaginary trip using an airline's website that complies with accessibility standards. Afterwards, you will be asked to describe the experience of completing the task. 

  The study will take one hour to complete, and all participants will receive $20. 

  If you or anyone you know would be interested in participating, you may get in touch with us by emailing palpable.studies at umich.edu<mailto:palpable.studies at umich.edu , or by calling Josh Guberman, investigator, directly at +1.847.527.7368. 

  Study 2: Crosswords

  Researchers from the University of Michigan are conducting a study that evaluates 2 types of representations of crossword puzzles. 

  We are looking for participants who are: 

  *         18 years or older

  *         Have prior experience working with screen readers and 
  reading Braille text

  *         Regularly use a Perkins style braille keyboard

  This study will take place in person at the Mandalay Bay Hotel during the NFB National Convention. Times are available between 9:00AM and 9:00 PM on Monday July 8th and Tuesday July 9th. 

  In this study, you will be assigned to one of two groups at random. 
  Depending on the group you are assigned, you will be asked to solve a 
  crossword puzzle on a website using a computer equipped with a screen reader, or on an audio-tactile refreshable braille display. A researcher will observe you as you complete the task and ask questions regarding your overall experience with the task.

  The study will take approximately one hour to complete, and all participants will receive $20. 

  If you or any one you know would be interested in participating, you 
  may get in touch with us by emailing 
  palpable.studies at umich.edu<mailto:palpable.studies at umich.edu , or by 
  calling Hrishikesh Rao, investigator, at +1.734.881.0456

  Study 3: Exploring and Inventing Interactions for Tactile Maps

  We are conducting a study to understand how people interact with 
  tactile maps that have Braille and audio labels. In the study, 
  participants will be asked to explore tactile maps with Braille and 
  audio labels, and answer questions about them. Participants would then 
  be asked to invent interactions they think are user-friendly for 
  creating and using audio labels. They would then create a simple 
  tactile graphic, and label them in either Braille or using the 
  gestures they had invented earlier. The study will conclude with a 
  short survey on participants' experience with tactile graphics, mobile devices, and assistive technologies.

  We are looking for participants who are: 

  *         18 years or older

  *         Have prior experience reading Braille text

  This study will take place in person at the Mandalay Bay Hotel during the NFB National Convention. Times are available between 9:00AM and 9:00 PM on Monday July 8th and Tuesday July 9th. 

  The study will take approximately 90 minutes to complete and all participants will receive $30. 

  Note: We are not testing participants' drawing skills in the study. We 
  are only focused on understanding how participants explore maps with 
  different kinds of labels, and on gestures they think are appropriate for audio-tactile maps.

  Insights from this study will help us to develop user-friendly drawing systems to support visually impaired students in K-12 and beyond. 

  If you or anyone you know would be interested in participating in the 
  study, please get in touch with us by email at: 
  palpable.studies at umich.edu<mailto:palpable.studies at umich.edu , or by 
  calling Mauli Pandey, investigator, at +1.734.846.8585

  Lou Ann Blake, J.D. 
  Deputy Executive Director, Blindness Initiatives
  200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230
  (410) 659-9314, extension 2221 | lblake at nfb.org<mailto:lblake at nfb.org 

  [National Federation of the Blind]<https://nfb.org/