AbilityNet are recruiting a panel of users with disabilities for a 12 month research project. Participants will need to take part in 4 focus groups throughout the year.
The focus groups will be in June, September, December and March. We would also like people to take part in other activities from home that will involve using a computer. Participants will be paid for their involvement in panel.
Criteria for focus group members
- Lives in or near London, Manchester, Bristol or Edinburgh
- Is aged between 16 and 60
- Fits into 1 of the 9 categories listed below
- Must not work in IT related accessibility, access technologies or web development
- Uses the Internet more than 1 hour a week
- Has a computer with an Internet connection at home
- Watches at least 10 hours of television a week
- Uses a mobile phone
They are looking for the following types of people
Severe vision impaired
- Screen reader users either using Jaws, Windows Eyes or Hal
Medium vision impaired
- Will be a magnification software user either ZoomText, Lunar, Magic or SuperNova
Mild vision impaired
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Will use largest text in browser and may use high contrast and colour preferences to make text easier to read.
Poor Vision
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People with poor vision but do not depend on an assistive technology e.g. screenreader or a speech supported magnifier to access web content from a PC.
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People with poor vision who may not require any form of magnification but who struggle with standard web layouts and default screen font sizes.
Severe motor difficulties
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Has severe motor difficulties and uses a switch
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Conditions which affect motor functions include Ataxia, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, Parkinsons disease, Motor Neurone Disease, Psoriatic Arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, spinal cord injury or disability resulting from physical injury or accident.
Medium motor difficulties
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Probably has an upper limb disorder and is a keyboard only user and does not use a mouse or a laptop mouse pad
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Uses tabbing and keyboard shortcuts to navigate web pages
Mild motor difficulties
- Has difficulty with fine mouse control and may use an adapted mouse or may slow down their mouse
- May have difficulty with small links on websites
Hearing impaired non-British Sign Language (BSL) user
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Has a hearing impairment
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Always uses subtitles for television, videos etc where available
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May use a telephone in some situations
Deaf British Sign Language (BSL) user
- Uses BSL as their primary language
Contact
Anthea Thompson on 0161 482 2507
website: http://www.acumenfieldwork.com
