[nabs] FWD: [leadership] Google Survey to BetterUnderstand Computer Usage and Assistive Technology Patternsin the Blind Community

Wed Aug 17 21:56:42 EDT 2011

Well, I also have a lot to do but probably will make time for the survey. 
Yes it may mean nothing. But who knows. With enough feedback, maybe they 
will make things more accessible.

Ashley

-----Original Message----- 
From: Andy B
Sent: Wednesday, August 17, 2011 9:15 PM
To: 'Discussion list for NABS,National Alliance of Blind Students.'
Subject: Re: [nabs] FWD: [leadership] Google Survey to BetterUnderstand 
Computer Usage and Assistive Technology Patternsin the Blind Community

Sorry. I have better things to do. Besides, I really don't put much stock in
"accessibility surveys" that companies like Google, AOL, Yahoo, Microsoft,
and others might try and prod us blind/assistive technology users to do.
With the fact that Google in my mind not showing much of an interest in
making things usable like everyone else can use them. Well... my rant. Off
to do something else now. Oh, and with the survey being particularly "long",
where is the paycheck to compensate for my loss of valuable time?

-----Original Message-----
From: nabs-bounces at acb.org [mailto:nabs-bounces at acb.org] On Behalf Of Laura
Glowacki
Sent: Wednesday, August 17, 2011 8:41 AM
To: Discussion list for NABS, National Alliance of Blind Students.
Cc: Zack Olson
Subject: [nabs] FWD: [leadership] Google Survey to Better Understand
Computer Usage and Assistive Technology Patterns in the Blind Community

Hi everyone,

ACB and google are conducting a survey to find out more about how people who
are blind or visually impaired use assistive technology and computers.
While the survey is fairly long, please find some time to complete it as it
wilol provide valuable knowledge that can be used to assist companies like
Google in better serving our community.  Please see the announcement below
for more information.

Laura

-----Original Message-----
From: leadership-bounces at acb.org [mailto:leadership-bounces at acb.org] On
Behalf Of Eric Bridges
Sent: Tuesday, August 16, 2011 7:14 AM
To: leadership at acb.org
Subject: [leadership] Google Survey to Better Understand Computer Usage and
Assistive Technology Patterns in the Blind Community

For Immediate Release

Contact: Eric Bridges

Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs

American Council of the Blind

Phone: (202) 467-5081

e-mail:  ebridges at acb.org<mailto:ebridges at acb.org>

American Council of the Blind and Google Conduct Survey to Better Understand
Computer Usage and Assistive Technology Patterns in the Blind Community

ARLINGTON, Va., Aug. 16, 2011 -- Today, the American Council of the Blind
(ACB) announced it will be working with Google Inc. to survey blind,
visually impaired, and deaf-blind individuals to better understand how they
use computers and assistive technology to access information.

"Having access to information through the use of accessible technology is
paramount in this day and age for education, employment and social
networking. Many studies have evaluated how users generally access the
Internet, but none have focused specifically on the experience of blind
users," said Mitch Pomerantz, President of the American Council of the
Blind. "We're pleased to collaborate with Google to develop and implement
this survey, which will look at how blind users choose and adopt assistive
technologies and how they discover new tools and information. Understanding
the needs of the blind community is the first step to developing effective
new ways of accessing information in the cloud."

The survey, developed jointly by Google and the American Council of the
Blind, will gather data about technology use and needs in the blind
community. Respondents will be able to complete the survey by either
telephone or web. Survey data will be used to better understand how blind
users interact with the web, which assistive technologies they find most
useful, and how they make decisions about whether to switch or upgrade
tools.

"At Google we're committed to making our products accessible and we're
currently hard at work making improvements," said Alan Eustace, Senior Vice
President of Knowledge at Google. "By connecting with American Council of
the Blind members, we hope to gain valuable insight into how the blind use
the Internet and how their needs are evolving with technology."

The survey, which will run through mid-September, is available immediately
at www.acb.org/googlesurvey<http://www.acb.org/googlesurvey>  . Individuals
who want to take the survey by telephone, please call 347-772-8355.

About the American Council of the Blind

The American Council of the Blind is the largest consumer-based organization
of blind and visually impaired Americans advocating for the rights of blind
Americans. Comprised of more than 70 affiliates across the United States,
the organization is dedicated to making it possible for blind and visually
impaired Americans to participate fully in all aspects of American society.
For more information, visit www.acb.org<http://www.acb.org/>  ; write to
American Council of the Blind, 2200 Wilson Blvd., Suite 650, Arlington, VA
22201; phone (202) 467-5081; or fax (703) 465-5085.

###

=========================
Barbara Jackson LeMoine
Public Policy Assistant
American Council of the Blind
2200 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 650
Arlington, VA 22201
202-467-5081
blemoine at acb.org
www.acb.org<http://www.acb.org/>
Follow us on Twitter @acbnational
=========================
The American Council of the Blind is the nation's leading membership
organization of blind and visually impaired people.

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