Subject: [BAH] [leadership] Google Survey to Better Understand Computer
Usage and As...
For Immediate Release
Contact: Eric Bridges
Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs
American Council of the Blind
Phone: (202) 467-5081
e-mail: [email protected]_ (mailto:[email protected])
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.
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Barbara Jackson LeMoine
Public Policy Assistant
American Council of the Blind
2200 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 650
Arlington, VA 22201
202-467-5081
[email protected]_ (mailto:[email protected])
_www.acb.org_ (http://www.acb.org/)
Follow us on Twitter @acbnational
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