Where to find user panel for inclusive user testing?

Finding these users might seem complexe! Here’s a comprehensive guide to finding users for inclusive user testing. Remember, it’s important to compensate each participant fairly for their time and contributions, you can you a calculator to help.

To get a panel of disable users, I will give an exhaustive list for English speaker, but same mechanism apply for each country! Hope this will help.

Where to Find Users?

1. Accessibility Organizations and Advocacy Groups

Cost: Low | Rapidity: Medium | Easiness: Medium

The best spot and the less costly are the organizations dedicated to supporting people with disabilities can be invaluable in connecting you with potential testers. Such as:
- National Federation of the Blind (NFB) Connects you with blind or visually impaired users.
- American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) Offers resources and contacts for user testing.
- Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA): Connects with individuals with hearing impairments.
- United Spinal Association: Supports individuals with spinal cord injuries and disorders.
- Autism Society Facilitates testing with users on the autism spectrum
- Government programs, such as Vocational Rehabilitation Services, work with individuals with disabilities and can assist in recruitment (e.g California Department of Rehabilitation).
- Assistive Technology Programs at the state level also provide support and resources for finding testers. (e.g MassMATCH (Massachusetts Assistive Technology Act Program)

2. Universities and Research Institutions

Cost: Medium | Rapidity: Low | Easiness: Medium

There is many universities house accessibility research labs or departments focused on human-computer interaction (HCI). Look for universities with robust disability support services or those known for their inclusive design programs. These institutions often have connections with students and community members who have disabilities. Such as Burton Blatt Institute, University of Washington’s Center for Disability Resources.

3. Online Platforms and Marketplaces

Cost: High | Rapidity: High | Easiness: High

The fastest and the most expensive option are to pay for User platforms panel. Several online platforms specialize in recruiting participants for user testing such as AccessWorks, Respondent.io, Fable, Accessibe.
Specialized recruitment agencies that focus on finding participants with disabilities for user testing. These agencies ensure a diverse and representative sample, streamlining the recruitment process.

4. Social Media and Online Communities

Cost: Low | Rapidity: Medium | Easiness: Medium

- Reddit: Subreddits like r/accessibility, r/blind, r/deaf, r/dyslexia and others.
- Facebook Groups: Groups focused on accessibility, disabilities, and assistive technology.
- LinkedIn: To spot association

5. Conferences and Events

Cost: Medium | Rapidity: Low | Easiness: Low

Attending conferences and events focused on accessibility and inclusive design is another excellent way to network and find potential testers. The CSUN Assistive Technology Conference and Inclusive Design 24 (#id24)

Now, let’s look at specific types of users and what to test with them. I also added some the recommended recruitment sources and parameters for each category.

User-Specific & Testing Goal

Visual

Testing the usability of your interface with screen readers, screen magnifiers, and other assistive technologies. Will help to identify flow disruption.

Testers:
✅ Screen Reader User only using screen reader, no light perception, blind.
✅ Screen Magnifier User (with visual acuity between 20/70 and 20/200) that uses 4x to 6x magnification.
❌ Color blind: It is not recommended to conduct usability test for them as we can use tools that is replicate there vision.

Suggested Recruitment Sources:
- National Federation of the Blind (NFB): Provides resources and may help connect you with blind or visually impaired users.
- American Foundation for the Blind (AFB): Offers programs and contacts to facilitate user testing.
- Some company offer panels: Fable
- Check with your state’s Vocational Rehab Program.

Hearing

Some people will recommend you to run user testing only if you have audio content (video, music) BUT it’s wrong! You need to run them if it is involving communication interaction ( Phone call, Voice message, Notification, Sound effect, Voice recognition, Live chat and so on).

Testers:
✅ Transcript User do not hear well enough to rely on hearing to process speech and language. It is from Deaf to Hard of Hearing.

Suggested Recruitment Sources:
- Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA): Connects with individuals with hearing impairments.
- NAD
- Test Partners good source for Dragon Natural Speaking)

Speech

Mandatory for recognition and other communication interfaces in your digital product. Evaluating if the speech flow works properly. This includes assessing the accuracy of speech-to-text functionality and the usability of voice commands.

Tester:
✅ Apraxia: Difficulty planning and coordinating the movements necessary for speech.
✅ Dysarthria: Weakness in the muscles used for speech, leading to slurred or slow speech.
✅ Stuttering: Disruptions in the flow of speech, such as repetitions, prolongations, or blocks.
✅ Mute: Individuals who are unable to speak but may use alternative communication methods, such as speech-generating devices or sign language.

They might use:
- Speech-Generating Devices (SGDs): Electronic devices that produce speech output by selecting symbols, words, or phrases (e.g., Dynavox, Tobii).
- Augmentative Alternative Communication (AAC)
- Text-to-Speech (TTS): Converts written text into spoken words, useful for individuals who can type but not speak (e.g., NaturalReader, JAWS).
- Sign Language: For individuals who are non-verbal, American Sign Language (ASL) or other sign languages may be used.

Suggested Recruitment Sources:
- National Stuttering Association (NSA): Provides resources and support for individuals who stutter.
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA): Offers connections with speech-language pathologists and individuals with various speech disorders.

Motor

Focuses on evaluating how users interact with the input mechanisms of your digital product, such as keyboards and touchscreens. It’s important to assess the usability of alternative input methods, such as keyboard shortcuts or voice commands, for users with limited dexterity or mobility.

Testers Subject Parameters:
✅ Sighted users who use a keyboard alone (no mouse) and/or assistive technology.
✅ Users with tremors, paralysis, reduced dexterity.

Suggested Recruitment Sources: NCIL, Local CIL, CCD

Cognitive

If you want to know if your product is assessing readability, comprehensibility, and the effectiveness of assistive features you should definitivly test with cognitive users.

Testers:
✅ Dyslexia
✅ Attention Disorders
✅ Apraxia, Dysarthria, Stuttering, problems speaking clearly.
✅ Memory, Aphasia
❌ Seizure Disorder: Do not conduct usability test. Trust the reglementation

They might use:
- Speech-Generating Devices (SGDs)
- Screen Reader
- Vocal function

Suggested Recruitment Sources:
- Helix Opportunity especially for cognitive and motor disabilities
- Autism Society for testing products with users on the autism spectrum.

Each type of disability requires specific recruitment strategies and testing goals, so it’s crucial to tailor your approach accordingly. Remember to fairly compensate participants for their time and contributions, as this not only respects their efforts but also fosters a more positive and productive testing environment.