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Re: web accessibility research

for

From: John Foliot
Date: Apr 17, 2009 2:45PM

marie-jose zammit WROTE:
>
>
> Hi I am a university student studying for a B.Sc.(Hons.) in Mathematics
and
> Informatics at the University of Malta and I am currently involved in a
study
> that is exploring the challenges persons with disabilities face when
using
> the Internet.
>
> Part of the investigation consists in conducting a questionnaire. If
anyone
> wishes to participate please go on the following web site
>
> http://www.webaccessibilityresearch.com/
>
> Thank you for your time and assistance.

Marie-Jose,

This has come up before, but is worth repeating again.

Depending on who this survey is geared towards, you may in fact be asking
people to self-identify as being 'disabled' - this may or may not be an
issue on an individual, case-by-case basis, but it brings into question
concerns surrounding anonymity and privacy considerations.

As well, you are posting from a hotmail account. While I fully understand
that today most students are using web-based email addresses, for any type
of 'official' request such as this, using your actual university email
address lends more credibility to your request. Hosting your survey
within the confines of the university's web-space will also help with its
overall perception as being both legitimate and rigorously controlled both
in terms of methodology but likely also in terms of privacy and lack of
'hidden agenda'. Finally, referencing an 'authorative' figure (your
professor or research coordinator) in your 'formal request' will also
strengthen your case - it again assures potential respondents that this is
a legitimate research project, and not a 'scam' to collect data that might
be used for other reasons.

Some points to consider.

JF
===========================John  Foliot
Program Manager
Stanford Online Accessibility Program
http://soap.stanford.edu
Stanford University
Tel: 650-862-4603

Soap Is a program directed by the
Vice Provost for Student Affairs
============================