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Evaluating an online experience sharing platform for blind and partially sighted people
Type of Study: Online (up to 45 min)
Who can participate: blind and partially sighted people over 18 years
Study description:
My research explores technologies to support outdoor experiences of blind and partially sighted people. Over the years, many blind and partially sighted people have shared their experiences and insights with me, some of which I have summarised below.
There is a lack of accessible information about open spaces (and in general) for blind and partially sighted people to effectively plan their visits.
Many of the blind and partially sighted people I have spoken to have mentioned that this lack of information affects their involvement in contributing to planning visits and holiday trips with friends and family members.
This not only impacts people's engagement with the experience but also impacts their sense of agency and contribution.
Having prior knowledge of landmarks, facilities, space layout and other relevant information can have a significant impact on people's experience.
Additionally, experience sharing between blind and partially sighted people (and other disabled people) is more meaningful than reading information from a sighted person's perspective.
Experience sharing is also important to enhance the sense of contribution and foster a sense of community.
Having an experience sharing platform can also help amplify voices and concerns of disabled communities towards inaccessible spaces and services.
From this, the idea of SenseMaps - an accessible experience sharing platform was developed in collaboration with a group of blind and partially sighted people. I have been developing a prototype of SenseMaps which I would now like to test with more people to make it more accessible and meaningful for the community. It is my hope that people find SenseMaps useful and are able to use it to share their experiences with each other.
I have done my best to make the prototype accessible on Chrome and Safari on desktop and iPhone. The URL is: https://www.sensemaps.net/. The prototype is basic at the moment and there are still a few issues to iron out. I'm actively working on the prototype to improve the experience but I need help from the community to ensure the website performs as expected. I am also keen to get feedback from the community to improve what and how information is made available.
To participate: https://redcap.slms.ucl.ac.uk/surveys/?s=EA37MP3EAXP89337
Contributed by: Maryam Bandukda
Understanding experiences in museums for people with low vision
Type of Study: Online - Zoom meeting to be generated when a date/time can be confirmed with participants (1h)
Who can participate: Any sight loss, age, sex, etc.
Study description: Do you enjoy museums and art? Cardiff University and Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales invite people with low vision to join an online Zoom meeting to share their experiences of museum spaces. They will ask for opinions on mobility and navigation in museums, viewing art and how the visual elements of this might be improved using smart glasses.
The meeting will last up to one hour and be facilitated by museum and university staff, and other people with low vision will join the discussion. Each participant will receive £50 from Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales.
Once they have enough people interested, they will establish a convenient time and date for everyone to conduct this online meeting.
To participate: For more information or to express your interest, please contact Paul Goddard on 029 225 10051 or via goddardpm@cardiff.ac.uk
Contributed by: Paul Goddard
Recognising images through touch: Objects and scenery
Type of Study: Lab based (1h)
Who can participate: Aged 16 and above, sighted or any visual impairment
Study description: Participants will be asked to describe tactile images (whilst blindfolded) using only touch. This will take about an hour to complete. Alternatively, participants could use sight and the images described by completing an online survey by following the link below which takes about 10 minutes to complete.
The tactile images includes icons and nine texture symbols. Icons are used for foreground objects of an image like cat, table and so on. Texture symbols for background things that do not have a general shape or form, like water, sky, wall and so on. The experiment will test if nine texture symbols are enough for representing the background of a picture and whether they make sense through touch.
To participate: https://bathpsychology.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4IvKFeQmLdxfwZ8?fbclid=IwAR0lt9ql_meU0rSviAA5KBqKucZ0yspbvR66xgC4veqqnjZtk9XEwVeWFOc
Contributed by: Karolina Pakenaite
How does a visual impairment affect sleep?
Type of Study: Lab/Remote. All recording will be undertaken by the participant at home.
Who can participate: Anyone with a certificate of visual impairment
Study description: The aim of this project is to investigate the effect that a visual impairment has on sleep. Our sleep is controlled by the master clock in the brain that relies on light detected by the eyes to keep accurate time. Therefore, blindness can affect the timing of the master clock and also sleep. Our question is whether different causes of visual impairment have more or less effect on sleep than others. During the study, you will be required to wear a sleep headset for 1 week when you sleep, including sleep during the night and naps during the day. The headset will be used to measure your brain waves while you are sleeping. You will also be required to wear an acti-watch continuously during the study. This acti-watch is similar to a fit bit smartwatch and is used to measure your rest and activity. At the end of the study, you will receive a detailed sleep report and we may suggest some ways to help you improve your sleep. Overall, this research will help us to understand how visual impairment affects sleep with the hope of improving sleep in those who suffer from profound sleep problems due to a visual impairment.
To participate: Please contact d.ball.17@ucl.ac.uk
Contributed by: Danny Michael Ball
Effectiveness of the Information Sector and existing policies, surveys and initiatives for representing and addressing the experiences of visually impaired information professionals.
Type of Study: Online Study
Who can participate: Any visually impaired Archivist, Librarian or Records Manager is eligible for this study. Also visually impaired individuals who have worked in Archives and Libraries, such as Assistant Archivists and Librarians.
Study description: This Masters dissertation aims to understand the experiences of the information sector from the perspective of visually impaired information professionals (Archivists, Librarians and Records Managers) and non-visually impaired information professionals perceptions of the sector for information professionals with visually impairments. These experiences will then be considered in relation to policies, surveys, and initiatives in the sector. This study will be conducted through a 30–45-minute semi-structured interview over Zoom, asking questions relating to policies, barriers and contributions.
To participate: Please contact 2244334r@student.gla.ac.uk
Contributed by: Adele Redhead
Understanding the Accessibility Challenges of Blind or Vision Impaired Music Learners
Type of Study: Online Study
Who can participate: Anyone who identifies as being blind or on the spectrum of low vision. No age or sex restrictions.
Study description: This study explores the challenges of learning music as a blind or low vision person. Through 60min semi-structured interviews with music teachers, BVI musicians and BVI early music learners, we aim to gain insight into the learning and teaching strategies as well as gain insight into the creating of tools and systems that assist with music learning.
Further details: 25 CAD as a gift card of choice
Link to study: https://cil.csit.carleton.ca/accessibility-challenges-for-blind-or-visually-impaired-music-learners/
Contributed by: Leon Lu
Investigating auditory memory in the blind and visually impaired individuals.
Type of study: Online study
Who can participate: Totally blind, visually impaired individuals who do not have a severe hearing impediments
Study description: This experiment aims to investigate auditory short term memory in blind and visually impaired adults compared to sighted individuals. We are especially interested in the impact of the background noise. The task involves listening to voice recordings (numbers) on a computer/desktop guided by a screen reader. The experiment can be performed online and at home and takes about 30-45 minutes.
Further details: Upon completion, participants will be entered into a draw for a chance to win £48 Amazon Vouchers.
Link to study: https://www.psytoolkit.org/c/3.1.0/survey?s=Jyv8q
Contributed by: Julia Foecker
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