Consumer Network Focus Group (PAID)

This invitation is being sent to CATEA Consumer Network (CCN) members who have indicated that they are interested in participating in ongoing studies. We are recruiting CCN members who are aged 18+ and have completed high school to take part in two focus groups conducted by a team of Georgia Tech researchers. The goal of the focus groups is to look at the ease of use of technologies that can improve social or workplace dealings and increase job options for people with disabilities. We are looking for individuals with familiarity with any or all of these technologies:

smart phones
social networking (e.g. LinkedIn or Facebook)
virtual worlds like Second Life, where the user takes on a role in a simulated world
electronic gaming, either for fun or for serious purposes such as education or training
peer publishing, where people gather and distribute information and news, such as blogging, wikis, YouTube and other ways of sharing ideas and views
open source software applications and processes (e.g. Linux, Firefox, etc.)
The project is funded by the National Council on Disability (NCD), and is being managed by Georgia Tech's Center for Advanced Communications Policy (CACP), and involves researchers from the Center for Assistive Technology and Environmental Access (CATEA) and the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI).

By participating in this study, you will help NCD and the disability community by providing your perceptions of the digital technologies and the potential usability of these technologies to enhance workplace participation. The research will help us devise recommendations in the form of best practices for technology developers on cost-effective development and application to increase the employment of people with disabilities in the new media and/or digital technology environments. It will also provide general policy recommendations on how such media and technologies may be used to foster the employment of people with disabilities, and what new employment opportunities they may offer.

The focus group will be conducted during April 2010 at a time that is most convenient to the participants, and will take place either during working hours or evening hours. It will require a maximum of 2 hours of availability. Participants will be provided a $50 stipend for participation in the focus group. The stipend will be paid at the end of the group interview (max: 2 hours)

If you wish to participate contact: Dr. Paul M.A. Baker [paul.baker@cacp.gatech.edu] 404.394.4618 or Christopher Langston [chris.langston@coa.gatech.edu] 404.894.3683.

If you have any questions about the NCD study you may contact Dr. James D. White at 404.385.4613. If you have any questions about your rights as a research volunteer, call Ms. Melanie Clark, Georgia Institute of Technology at (404) 894-6942.

Paul M.A. Baker, Ph.D.,
NCD Focus Group Project Director
404.385.4618 [V]
paul.baker@cacp.gatech.edu