An Astute Survey: ACB and Google Collaborate

RantWoman heartily endorses the following survey. Well RantWoman lost patience part way through and did not actually complete it, but RantWoman thinks it asks astute well-informed questions. RantWoman thinks it asks astute well-informed questions, but this did not prevent RantWoman from getting frustrated part way through. RantWoman also supposes she would ask people who are employed what tools they use on the job what functionality is most important for the tools they use on the job, and how they rate themselves as far as knowledge of advanced functionality in their tools. But RantWoman wants to PROMOTE, not rewrite the survey.


Subject: [VICUG-L] ACB and Google Conduct Survey to Better Understand Computer Usage and Assistive Technology Patterns in the Blind Community

Dear all,

Thank you for all your interest in the Google survey. Those of you wishing
to take the survey through the web will now be able to do so. Please visit
http://www.acb.org/googlesurvey  for more details. If you wish to use the
telephone option, please pay special attention to the hours during which Ms.
Hartmann will respond in person. She will be available between 11:00 AM and
9:00 PM eastern from Monday through Saturday. During other hours, please
leave a message. For your convenience, I am providing a copy of the press
release below.

Please also see http://www.acb.org/googlesurvey%20to find out more about how to win one of 7 Amazon.com gift certificates after completing the survey.
Encourage all to submit the survey.

Warm regards,

Pratik

For Immediate Release

Contact: Eric Bridges
Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs
American Council of the Blind
Phone: (202) 467-5081
e-mail: ebridges@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 the end of -September, is available
immediately at www.acb.org/googlesurvey.

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; write to American Council of the
Blind, 2200 Wilson Blvd., Suite 650, Arlington, VA 22201; phone (202)
467-5081; or fax (703) 465-5085.