The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) Jernigan Institute is again collaborating with the Smith-Kettlewell Video Description Research and Development Center to host a stakeholder focus group on advanced concepts in video description. The focus group will be held during the 2013 NFB National Convention in Orlando, Florida. This year there will be two sessions for slightly different audiences. There is only space for ten attendees in each session, and participants must register in advance for this important meeting.
Both sessions will be held Monday, July 1. Session I will be from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and Session II will be from 1:00-3:00 p.m. (the exact meeting room will be announced prior to the convention).
Those interested in participating in this focus group should send an e-mail to Beth Braun at the NFB Jernigan Institute with the following information:
- Your full name
- The best e-mail address to use in communicating with you prior to the convention
- A cell phone number that can be used to reach you at the convention
- Are you blind?
- Are you fluent in English?
- Are you a non-native English speaker?
- An indication of which of the following categories applies to you (include all that apply):
- K-12 student
- Undergraduate student
- Graduate student
- Teacher of blind students
- Rehabilitation professional
- Educator not working with blind students
- Parent of a blind child
- Consumer of video description
- Professional not working in a blindness- or education-related field
If you are unable to e-mail your interest in the focus group, you can reach Beth at (410) 659-9314, extension 2369.
Session I:
An opportunity for sighted amateur describers to evaluate YouDescribe¬Smith-Kettlewell’s new Web-based video-description tool for YouTube. Participants will test the system by recording their own descriptions for selected videos and report on their experience.
Session II:
An opportunity for blind video description consumers to evaluate YouDescribe¬Smith-Kettlewell’s new Web-based video-description tool for YouTube. Participants will test the system by navigating the Web site to listen to selected described YouTube videos and will report on their experience.
Participants in Session II will need to provide their own Windows7, Apple, or Chrome laptop, and must be familiar with their screen-reading software and Web browser. The laptops must have Wi-Fi connectivity (Wi-Fi provided). They will also need to provide their own headphones.
Please respond with your interest no later than June 10.
Note that participants will not be picked on a first-come-first-served basis but rather to ensure that the focus group has a good mix of perspectives.
