Inaccessible surveys

Greetings! I'm Scott Savoy, managing editor at http://www.sterlingcreations.ca.
March is here and Spring is waiting. I hope that everyone is enjoying their weekend thus far.
Today, I am pleased to introduce an editorial by our president Donna J. Jodhan. It is a very thought provoking one and one that I am sure that many would not even think of in the normal scheme of things.
I wish you a great weekend.

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Inaccessible surveys
By Donna J. Jodhan

For the past few months, I have been receiving a lot of feedback from both readers and clients on the subject of inaccessible surveys. Here is the problem:
Many survey companies invite participants to complete surveys online but according to what I am hearing, many of these surveys have not been designed with the accessibility factor in mind. Accordingly, the feedback and comments of blind, deaf/blind, vision impaired, and print disabled participants are being left out.

I would like to think that this is not a purposeful admission; rather a grave and inadvertent admission. I have been told that when the survey companies are asked about the accessibility factor the majority of them admit to not having thought about it. With a rapidly aging population and an increase in the number of persons being afflicted with vision, hearing, and physical challenges, it may not be a bad idea for research and survey companies to start looking into the accessibility factor. In other words, how to make their surveys and research such that persons with disabilities are included. For after all, their voices and opinions should count as well should it not?

It seems to be an unfortunate and common occurrence for surveyors and researchers to exclude the voices and opinions of persons with disabilities. I am not sure why; I do have my own opinions but I'll leave it up to you to be the judge.

What do I mean when I talk about the accessibility factor? In short; designing research studies and surveys so that persons with disabilities can participate. That they could have the ability to complete forms without having to depend on sighted assistance and that they do not need to ask for help when reading the related information. Time for researchers and surveyors to start changing their methods of information gathering.


I'm Donna J. Jodhan wishing you a terrific day and weekend.
To reach me, please send an email to info@sterlingcreations.ca and I would be delighted to send you an electronic copy of our latest newsletter.

Here is a complete list of where you can view Donna's blogs and editorials.
Donna Jodhan! Advocating accessibility for all
http://www.donnajodhan.blogspot.com
a weekly feature on important answers to consumers concerns
http://www.sterlingcreations.com/businessdesk.htm
Weekly blogs for language professionals and accessibility consultants
http://www.sterlingcreations.ca/blog
A monthly editorial on issues on diversity
http://www.diversityintheworkplace.ca