survey

NRTC 5-Year Study

From David Goldfield, Blindness Assistive Technology Specialist:

The National Research and Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision at Mississippi State University (NRTC) is recruiting people with blindness or low vision (age 21+) who are working or are interested in working to be part of a multi-year study about technology in the workplace. Participants will complete multiple surveys over time so they can learn about changes in access technology use. Participants will receive a small gift card after completing each survey. The NRTC will share our findings with you and their technology company partners. They’ll also make recommendations for access technology users, VR professionals, access technology specialists, and employers. Would you like to help with their 5-year study? Complete their pre-screening survey or call 662-325-2001 to schedule an appointment for a telephone screening.

National Geographic Recruiting Blind or VI Participants for Compensated Online Study

From the Carroll Center for the Blind:

National Geographic Learning, a leading creator of K-12 digital classroom materials, is looking for participants to help ensure their digital products can be enjoyed and accessed by all individuals!

National Geographic Learning is launching an accessibility usability study which will take place over Zoom with a National Geographic Learning representative. During the session participants will be guided through the National Geographic Learning platform to test the accessibility of various user tasks. There will be no pre- or post-work required for participation.

Participant requirements:

• At least 18 years old
• Visually impaired or blind (we are looking for participants who rely on some form of assistive technology when using a computer, such as a screen magnifier, screen reader or refreshable braille display)
• Steady WIFI connection
• A desktop computer/laptop (Windows or Mac) or a Chromebook
• Zoom access set up prior to joining the session
• Ability to share audio and video during the test

Participant’s computer screen and audio will be shared through Zoom. The Zoom call will also be recorded for note-taking and internal research purposes. Although the product to be tested is designed for teachers and students, you do not have to be a current teacher or student to participate in the study.

The session will last no longer than 60 minutes, and compensation will be a $100 gift card. The compensation is not dependent on what you say, but only that you participated.

Please fill out the National Geographic Learning Accessibility Study Survey to express your interest in participating in this usability study. If you are chosen for this study, you will be contacted via email by a representative from National Geographic Learning to set up a time for the usability test. Usability tests will be conducted the week of March 1st during business hours (between 10 A.M. and 5 P.M. EST). Thank you for considering this opportunity! For any questions, please contact Mary Schwab.

About the Carroll Center for the Blind

ESTABLISHED IN 1936, the renowned Carroll Center for the Blind has been serving those with vision impairment for over eight decades; we are known nationally as a premier Vision Rehabilitation Center. Located just outside of Boston on a sprawling campus in Newton, Massachusetts, we proudly serve ALL ages and ALL stages of vision loss.

With the ongoing promise of improving the lives of people with vision-related problems, The Carroll Center for the Blind has pioneered many innovative services allowing people who are blind or have low vision to learn the skills to be independent in their homes, in class settings, and in their work places. Our services include vision rehabilitation, vocational and transition programs, assistive technology training, educational support, and recreation opportunities for individuals who are visually impaired of all ages. For over 80 years, the expertise of Carroll Center staff has provided help for thousands of blind and visually impaired persons with diverse opportunities for success and independent living.

About the Louisiana DeafBlind Project

The mission of the Louisiana Deafblind Project for Children & Youth is to provide technical assistance and information dissemination to Louisiana students with combined hearing and vision loss, their families, schools, service providers, school districts, and the Louisiana Department of Education.

Survey of Secondary Writing Instruction

Dear teachers,

Are you curious about the current state of writing instruction in middle and high schools with deaf and hard of hearing students? We are, too!

If you are currently teaching writing or have taught writing to middle and high school students in the past, you are in an ideal position to give us valuable first-hand information about your experiences. We would love to hear from you! You are welcome to share this with your colleagues as well.

This survey takes approximately 10-15 minutes to complete.

To show our appreciation, you may enter into a drawing to win a $20 Amazon gift card (20 available).

Sincerely,

Kimberly Wolbers, PhD, University of Tennessee kwolbers@utk.edu
865-974-2375

Hannah Dostal, PhD, University of Connecticut hannah.dostal@uconn.edu
865-292-4219

Leala Holcomb, PhD, University of Tennessee lholcom5@vols.utk.edu
415-307-6410