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
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
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
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
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