Accessibility User Research Collective (AURC)

Are you, or anyone you know, Deaf or hard of hearing in the Washington, DC area? We are gathering feedback from Deaf or hard of hearing folks in a 2-phase study, during the weeks of March 24th and April 7th. We want to better understand the communication needs of people who are Deaf or hard of hearing, and how wearable technology can assist in communications. If you’re interested in learning more, check out the flyer https://lnkd.in/eiyuk3-i, or email AURC program manager Delaney at Delaney.Cowart@Shepherd.org. Thank you!

Are you, or anyone you know, Deaf or hard of hearing in the Washington, DC area? We are gathering feedback from Deaf or hard of hearing folks in a 2-phase study, during the weeks of March 24th and April 7th. We want to better understand the communication needs of people who are Deaf or hard of hearing, and how wearable technology can assist in communications. If you’re interested in learning more, check out the flyer https://lnkd.in/eiyuk3-i, or email AURC program manager Delaney at Delaney.Cowart@Shepherd.org. Thank you!

Seeking Participants with Acquired Brain Injury for App Use Online Study! Have you had an acquired brain injury like a stroke or TBI? Are you interested in using an app that can help organize and keep track of your daily activities? Shepherd Center researchers are testing MapHabit, an app that helps people with brain injuries complete daily living tasks like personal care, exercise, and household activities. This study is completely remote and has 3 main parts that are completed either independently or with caregiver support:  1. An online interview with a Shepherd researcher about you and your daily living habits. 2. We will send you an iPad with the MapHabit app that will be set up with MapHabit staff. After that, just use the app on your own for 3 months! 3. After the 3 months, complete an online interview with a Shepherd researcher. You will receive a stipend and get to keep the iPad for personal use. You qualify for this study if you: - Have any acquired brain injury (stroke, TBI, etc.) - Are able to use an app on an iPad either independently or with caregiver assistance over the course of 3 months - Are able to complete an online interview either independently or with caregiver - Are 18 years or older Interested? This study is first come, first serve. Please contact Kelsey Koupal at Kelsey.Koupal@shepherd.org to get signed up, or if you have additional questions. Thanks!  

As Kelsey Koupal highlights, "Communities designed with just one kind of person in mind isolate those of us defying our narrow definition of personhood.” - Haben Girma, disability rights advocate and the first Deafblind person to graduate from Harvard Law School. At the AURC, we echo this sentiment. Juneteenth reminds us to continue our work towards a world where everyone can participate fully and equally.

Shepherd Center is excited to host a slew of speakers at Thursday's GAAD event! The AURC is honored to host one of our very own members as a keynote speaker, Empish JeAnne Thomas, at 10:30 a.m. A freelance writer, disability blogger, and accessibility consultant, Empish will be sharing her personal experiences with accessibility and how it impacts her life in three key areas. If you can't make it to the event, stay tuned for updates here!

Celebrate GAAD tomorrow at Shepherd Center's GAAD Resource Fair! The AURC is proud to be based out of Shepherd Center in Atlanta. Shepherd's DEIA Accessibility team (including AURC UX Researcher Kelsey Koupal) is hosting our second annual GAAD Resource Fair May 16th from 10-2 pm in the 7th floor auditorium. With speakers, performances, interactive booths and snacks, this free event will showcase various organizations outside of Shepherd Center and inside Shepherd Center that are working to make a more accessible world. This event will promote the GAAD purpose of spreading accessibility awareness accessibility and the resources to achieve it. Stop by our AURC booth to find out what we are doing to push accessibility forth! Parking and navigation details in the comments.

This week is all about Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), a worldwide initiative to raise awareness about digital accessibility and inclusion. At the AURC, we're proud to support GAAD's mission of making technology accessible to everyone, regardless of ability. Join us as we kick off a week of celebrating accessibility and inclusive design. Throughout the week, we'll be sharing insights, initiatives, and resources to help create a more accessible digital world, as well as promoting our involvement in Shepherd Center's GAAD Resource Fair! Stay tuned for daily updates and join the conversation! #GAAD #Accessibility #InclusiveTech #AURC

Alert: AURC Spring Newsletter drop! As the days grow longer and warmer, the AURC welcomes new growth and development in the form of our Spring 2024 Newsletter - Artificial Intelligence Edition! With the technology revolution that has come with the explosion of artificial intelligence (AI), we wanted to explore perspectives surrounding this complicated topic with people with disabilities. Be one of the first to explore the initial outcomes of this AURC study, including the uses and trust levels our members have with AI. Beyond that, this newsletter includes information about Global Accessibility Awareness Day, a member spotlight of accessibility tech advocate Esther Klang CPACC and our recent studies! Check it out, and leave behind a comment: How do YOU foresee AI impacting people with disabilities? AURC Spring 2024 Newsletter: https://bit.ly/3UCLQGw

If you are attending #CSUN2024 be sure to check out the presentation by Accessibility User Research Collective (AURC) Program Manager Delaney Cowart, CPACC on "Inclusive User Experience Research in Accessibility". https://lnkd.in/eMzcjpyq Delaney will also be participating in the Fireside Chat on "Inclusive Design in the Real World." https://lnkd.in/erHxg3N9 Thank you, Delaney, for sharing your insights!