[wac] Digital Union usability/accessibility lab questionnaire, extremely important

[Ken Petri]

Hi All,

It was good to see a large (around 35 people) turn out at the Digital
Union expansion meeting, the week before last. However, we need all of
you--not just those who came to the meeting--to voice your opinion in
writing.

Those who came got a questionnaire asking about their desire for an
accessibility and usability lab and demonstration area and how it
might be used and set up. I have made an accessible and fillable
electronic (PDF) version of this questionnaire.

Download it here:

http://wac.osu.edu/dump/digital_union_universal_usability_lab_survey_fillable.pdf

Please, if you are interested in seeing a lab at OSU, it is absolutely
essential that you fill out the questionnaire, save it, and then send
it to Vicky Getis at the Digital Union. The lab will not happen unless
the OSU community gets behind it.

I cannot stress this enough: Fill out and return the questionnaire or
see a signal opportunity disappear. A Universal Usability lab at the
Digital Union can play a significant role in improving the usability
of web and other applications and hardware, for all users. Moreover,
if implemented rightly and well-staffed, it will heighten the
importance of usability and accessibility within the developer,
designer, and general user culture at OSU, and it could factor
significantly in bringing regional, Big Ten, and perhaps even national
attention to OSU as a leader in information technology and awareness
of student, staff, and faculty technology needs.

In addition to the questionnaire itself, I have included supplemental
material in the PDF that should help give you a better idea of what
the lab might do for the university community. Included at the end are
three examples of usability labs, two within the Big Ten.

Again, if we do not show significant interest in this effort, the
usability lab will not get built.

Please, mail the filled questionnaire to Vicky Getis <getis.1 at osu.edu>
by early December.

Feel free to write or call me with any questions.

Apologies for cross-postings.

Sincere thanks,
ken
-------------------------------------------------------
  Ken Petri
  Program Director
  OSU Web Accessibility Center
  102D Pomerene Hall
  1760 Neil Avenue
  Columbus, Ohio  43210
  Phone: (614) 292-1760
  Fax: (614) 292-4190
  mailto:petri.1 at osu.edu
-------------------------------------------------------