Introduction and Background
This paper summarizes the findings/results of the ACB Resolution 2005-15 Research Project conducted by Dr. Ron Milliman and his Research Assistant, Rachelle Wafer. The purpose of This study was to examine the issues associated with ACB Resolution 2005-15 which was adopted by the membership of the ACB during its national convention held in Las Vegas, July, 2005. The resolution reads as follows:
RESOLUTION 2005-15
Requests that the president and executive director, in consultation with the Board of Publications, the Blind Information Technology Specialists, the Information Access Committee, the Internet Oversight Committee, the Membership Committee and any other appropriate ACB bodies, do all of the following: a. determine, or cause to be determined, the number of ACB members who are not Internet users; b. establish policies which minimize the communication disadvantages to this population without diminishing the benefits of the Internet for the organization; and c. promote activities, communications, and programs to encourage and facilitate more Internet use by non-users.
WHEREAS, the internet has become a major medium of communication within the American Council of the Blind (ACB); and
WHEREAS, much of ACB's business is conducted with the efficient use of the Internet; and
WHEREAS, a significant proportion of ACB members do not use the Internet,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled this 8th day of July, 2005, at the Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas, Nev., that this organization request that the president and executive director, in consultation with the Board of Publications, the Blind Information Technology Specialists, the Information Access Committee, the Internet Oversight Committee, the Membership Committee and any other appropriate ACB bodies, do all of the following; a. determine, or cause to be determined, the number of ACB members who are not Internet users; b. establish policies which minimize the communication disadvantages to this population without diminishing the benefits of the Internet for the organization; and c. promote activities, communications, and programs to encourage and facilitate more Internet use by non-users.
As a part of this research project, all of the herein identified people affiliates, and committees were consulted during its planning and development, including the framing of the research objectives, the research design, and the crafting of the questionnaire instrument. All appropriate approvals were sought and obtained before embarking upon the actual execution of the study.
Research Design
As is the case in the development of most primary research studies, it becomes a bit convoluted as a result of additional objectives creep into the process that were not, initially, intended. Such is the case with this particular study. While questions were crafted to collect data pertaining to one of the central objectives set forth in the above stated resolution, i.e. " determine, or cause to be determined, the number of ACB members who are not Internet users," questions were crafted and data were collected to examine other important issues, such as how our ACB members access the internet, their levels of computer proficiency, the types of operating systems used, the types of adaptive devices used to access their computers, the various ways our members use their computers, levels of visual acuity, some demographics (age, gender), employment status, cell phone accessibility, and the use of other types of technology devices. While some of these questions relate to the central objectives of Resolution 2005-15, some do not, and still others relate only indirectly or tangentially.
The questionnaire consisted of a total of 19 closed-ended questions. The sample was made up of a total of 234 members of the American Council of the Blind (ACB). The names and contact information was furnished freely by several of the ACB affiliates that were willing to participate in the study. Unfortunately, not all ACB affiliates were willing to participate by providing the names and contact information for their members. The final list of potential Subjects, or interviewees, were drawn from the following 35 states/districts:
West Virginia
Oregon
Colorado
Arkansas
Washington
Indiana
California
Arizona
Texas
Virginia
Pennsylvania
Kansas
Massachusetts
Iowa
Oklahoma
Louisiana
Florida
New York
Nevada
Minnesota
Georgia
District of Columbia
Illinois
Maryland
Nebraska
South Carolina
Maine
Michigan
Utah
Alabama
Ohio
Kentucky
Mississippi
Tennessee
Wisconsin
The telephone survey research method was used throughout the entire study. The actual interviews begin in September, 2007 and were completed in January, 2008. In am effort to complete as many surveys as possible, calls were made in the mid-mornings, afternoons, evenings, and on several weekends.
Research findings
What follows is a listing of each question that made up the survey instrument and the responses given by the sample of 234 ACB members to each of these questions.
Question: Are you an Internet user?
Out of our 234 respondents, 76.9% indicated that they were internet users. In contrast, only 23.1% responded that they were not internet users. Thus, it is quite clear from these findings that the vast majority of our members use the internet. Since our concern expressed by Resolution 2005-15 is about the number of blind people who are not internet users, some very interesting insights into this population will become more evident as more results are revealed by this report.
Question: How do you access the Internet?
Out of the 180 internet users of our sample, 93.33%, accessed the internet by computer. However, other devices/methods were also used. A Braille Note, Packmate, or some other similar device was used by16.67%of those who are internet users. Another 16 of our members reported that they used the telephone for their internet access, or 8.89%. The Braille Plus was used by 2.22%. Two members, or 1.11%, reported they accessed the internet using a sighted assistant, and two more indicated they used the Voice Sense (1.11%).
While it might be argued that some of these other devices, like the Braille Plus for instance, are really little computers, and thus, we could combine some of these responses, they are viewed differently than a desk to or laptop PC or Mac, and therefore, we are justified in keeping the findings separate. It could also be argued that using a sighted assistant isn't really accessing the internet independently, but since the question didn't make independent access a part of the consideration of the issue, the reader can adjust the data himself/herself, subject to one's perception of the question.
Question: Are you a computer user?
At first glance, this may seem like a strange, and perhaps even out of sequence question, but since some people access the internet without being a computer user, and since the resolution that formed the basis of this research was couched around internet access, it was felt that internet access should be the first issue to be examined. The issue of computer usage, therefore, was the second focus of the study.
Of the 234 respondents to our study, 79.5%, reported that they were computer users. Thus, it is clear from this finding that all computer users are not necessarily also internet users since only 76.9% reported they used the internet. Obviously, the remaining 20.5% of the respondents indicated they were not computer users.
Question: Which of the following statements best describes your level of computer proficiency?
Out of the 186 subjects who reported that they are computer users, 11.83%, perceived themselves as "extremely knowledgeable with considerable experience." In comparison, 26.88% responded as being "knowledgeable with quite a bit of experience." Another 40.86% indicated they have "moderate knowledge with some experience." 17.20% felt they had "poor knowledge with limited experience." Only 6 people reported that they have "almost no knowledge with very little experience," (3.23%).
Question: What type of operating system do you have on the computer that you use at home?
2.15% of the people indicated they didn't use a computer at home. 91.4% use the Microsoft Windows operating system (E.G. Windows 95, 98, ME, 2000, XP, Vista). The Apple Mac operating system is used by 2.15%. Only 2 of our members from the sample reported that they used the LinuxstUNIX operating system, or 1.08%. Interestingly, 4.3% of the subjects stated that they were not sure what kind of operating system they were using.
Question: What type of operating system do you have on the computer that you use at work?
Out of the 78 subjects who indicated that they used a computer at work, 97.4% used the Microsoft Windows operating system (E.G. Windows 95, 98, 2000, ME, XP, Vista). In contrast, the Apple Mac operating system was used by none of our subjects in the sample. In like manner, the LinuxstUNIX operating system was not used by any of the sample either in their workplace. Interestingly, none of the people indicated that they didn't know which operating system was used, though that was one of the possible responses. 2 people indicated they used sighted assistance to access their computers at work (2.6%); though, admittedly, one could argue that using sighted assistance is not an operating system, but when a question has a possible response of "other," in an attempt to cover all viable possibilities, it opens up the door for some very unique and unanticipated responses.
Question: What type of adaptive hardware or software do you use to access your computer?
Again, out of the 186 respondents who use a computer, 17.2%, indicated that they used their computer the way it is without any kind of special adaptive hardware or special software. An external magnifying device was not used by any of the respondents. In comparison, "an internal or software screen magnifier" was used by 4.3%, of the computer users. 43.0% of the computer users employ the JAWS Screen reader. The Window Eyes screen reader was used by 22.58% of the computer users in our sample. Only 4 computer users utilized A combination Jaws Screen Reader with Magic Magnification Program, or 2.15%. A combination WinEyes Screen Reader with ZoomText Magnification Program was used by 18 people, or 9.68%. FreedomBox/SystemAccess was employed by another 2 people, or 1.08%. Other devices, such as the Braille lite, Braille Blazer, scanner, Kriswell, Braille display, Open book, Braille x80, Brilliant, Connect Outloud, Dragon naturally speaking, Mac Mini magnification program, Power Braille, voice over, Zoom text, etc., were used by a total of 24 people, or 12.9%. The Dolphin HAL Screen reader, the LinuxstUNIX screen reader, and A combination Hal Screen Reader with SuperNova Magnification Program were not used by any of the people in our sample. Again, some of the responses to this question might not have fitted the intent of the question, but nevertheless, there is some very interesting and meaningful information that can be gleaned from the findings.
Question: What are the various ways you use your computer?
90.32%, or 168 respondents who used a computer, indicated that they used it, at least in part, for e-mail. 80.65% of the people reported that they used their computer to surf the web. 50.54%, indicated they used their computer for "shopping, e.g. purchasing products & services." Another 27.96% reported that they used their computer for "banking and other financial transactions, including trading stocks, bonds, etc." 32.26% of our computer users said that they used their computer for "educational purposes, including college, and various kinds of training courses, etc." 79.57% used their computer for "word processing (e.g. writing reports, keeping notes, writing letters, etc.)." " Working with spread sheets" was another popular application which was engaged in by 33.33% of the computer users. Several computer users (22.43%) also use their systems for "working with databases." Another 20.43% of the computer users reported that they used their computer for "playing computer games." Nearly the same number, 19.35%, engage in "instant messaging." 9.68% of the computer users employ their computer for "building websites." Some engage in "creating and/or editing audio and video files," 28, or 15.05%. 16 (8.6%) reported that they participated in "communicating by voice in chat rooms." Another 10.75% reported they "communicated with people using the voice program such as Skype." Other applications included "closed circuit TV, Downloading books, Listen to sporting events, purchasing prescriptions, reading, etc., and these types of uses were engaged in by a total of 10 people in our sample of computer users, or 5.38%.
Question: If you are not a computer user, which of the following reasons describes why you are not a
computer user?
From the findings reported previously, it was revealed that the vast majority of the subjects in our sample were computer users (79.5%), and therefore, they marked "not applicable" to this question. However, of those who were not computer users, 48 or 20.5%, a variety of reasons were given for not using a computer. 25% indicated they currently lacked the financial resources to purchase a computer system. About one-fifth, 20.8%, reported that they simply had no present interest in computers. Another 20.8% stated that they had no current need for a computer. Six non-computer users (12.5%) indicated they did not want to invest the time and effort that would be required to learn how to use a computer. 16.67% felt that it would be just too hard to learn to use a computer. Other reasons given included: "I Have enrolled in computer classes and will be using one soon," "I Physically cannot use a keyboard because of arthritis," and "it would consume too much time." These latter reasons were given by only 6.25% of the subjects who did not use a computer. When presented with the response of "don't currently know how a blind person or a person with limited vision can use a computer," none of our respondents selected that reason.
Question: if you are not a computer user, and if the reason for you not being a computer user were
overcome, e.g. if a system were more affordable or if you were shown how to use one and its
various uses, then, would you be interested in having and learning how to use a computer?
Interestingly, half, or exactly 50%, of the non-computer users reported: "no, I have no current interest in computers." This is an important finding and relates very directly to the central objective of Resolution 2005-15. The remaining 50% responded: "yes, I would like to have and use a computer if it were feasible."
The remaining questions and findings are all demographic type questions or pertain to other aspects of the study that are not necessarily directly related to Resolution 2005-15. However, most of the remaining information is applicable when considering other forms of technology used by the subjects of the study.
Question: which of the following statements best describes your level of eyesight?
The following summarized responses and percentages are based upon a total sample size of 234 subjects.
I have what is generally considered normal eyesight: 7.7%
Though I am considered legally blind, I can read regular-sized print: 19.7%
I can read large print: 3.4%
I have some useable eyesight but not enough to read even large print: 4.3%
I have very limited eyesight, able to see only shadows and light and dark: 19.7%
I am totally blind, not even light perception: 45.3%
Question: in which of the following age categories do you belong?
Note: the following percentages are based upon the total sample size of 234 subjects.
Younger than 18: 0%
18 to 29: 0%
30 to 39: 5.1%
40 to 49: 12.0%
50 to 59: 32.5%
60 to 69: 29.1%
70 or older: 21.4%
Question: which of the following best describes your employment status?
Note: All percentages are based upon the total sample size of 234 subjects.
Too young to be employed: 0%
Not currently employed, but have actively sought employment within the past 30 days: 2.6%
Not currently employed but have actively sought employment within the past year: 3.4%
Not employed and for various reasons I cannot work: 12.0%
Employed part-time, 30 hours or less a week: 12.0%
Employed full-time, more than 30 hours a week: 13.7%
Self-employed and work 30 hours or less per week: 5.1%
Self-employed and work over 30 hours per week: 11.1%
Retired: 40.2%
Question: what is your gender?
Male: 51.3%
Female: 48.7%
Question: if you own a cell phone, which of the following statements best describes the cell phone
you have?
Note: all percentages are based upon the total sample size of 234 subjects.
I do not own a cell phone: 23.1%
Own a standard cell phone with no special accessibility features: 47.0%
Own a talking cell phone with very limited accessibility: 10.3%
Own a very accessible, talking cell phone: 17.9%
Own a PDA type device with talking cell phone and other features that are quite accessible: 1.7%
Question: do you own any of these devices? (Check all that apply)
Braille Note: 15.4%
Packmate: 9.4%
Desktop computer: 75.2%
Laptop computer: 21.4%
Talking GPS device: 11.1%
Cell phone: 80.3%
Limitations, Conclusions and Recommendations
While a sample size of 234 is actually quite large from a statistical viewpoint, and while the findings of this study followed a very consistent pattern, it is still limited by the lack of participation of several ACB affiliates, and the study would be even better if all of the ACB affiliates would have participated by furnishing the names and telephone numbers for their members. Nevertheless, the primary purpose of this study was to determine the number of ACB members who accessed the internet and were computer users, and these findings are so significant that even a much larger sample would most likely produce very similar results. Therefore, the findings and conclusions of this study can be generalized to the broader population of ACB membership with little risk of error.
The single most important conclusion that can be gained from this study is that the basic premise of Resolution 2005-15 is incorrect. That is, Resolution 2005-15 states: " WHEREAS, a significant proportion of ACB members do not use the Internet,..." From the findings of this study it is abundantly clear that the vast majority of ACB members are internet users, 76.9% or 180 out of 234 subjects. Another important conclusion that can be drawn from these findings is that of those ACB members who are not computer users, and thus, very likely not internet users either, about half of them are simply not interested in becoming a computer user, regardless of the reason given for not using a computer. Admittedly, some of those individuals might not really understand the numerous ways a computer and access to the internet can help a blind person, and it is possible that if they were, somehow, exposed to these many applications and benefits, they would change their minds. It is also possible that, given the elevated age of our membership, that some of these people are simply at the age where they just don't want to have to tackle some new, extremely challenging project. However, it is evident that some members (50% of the non-computer users) are certainly interested in learning how to use a computer and would like to have one if the barriers they face were removed.
Therefore, based upon these findings, it is recommended that ACB seek to embark upon two courses of action:
1) Establish an endowment fund for the purpose of offering grants for people to purchase computers and related adaptive hardware and software, including accessible training programs
2) Under the leadership and jurisdiction of the Blind Information Technology Specialists (BITS), an Affiliate of ACB, educational programs be initiated to teach people how to use computers and the internet.