When recruiting for participants who may suffer from a disability or have accessibility needs, you should consider how this study may have an impact on a vulnerable group of individuals.
Use respectful, inclusive language
You should consider writing all screeners in plain text and use inclusive language that respects how people describe themselves. This will depend on your region, however, we have seen Customers use:
Instead of | Use |
Blind or visually impaired (as a label) | Person who is blind or visually impaired |
Deaf or hearing impaired | Person who is deaf or hard of hearing |
Speech/communication disability | Person with a speech or communication disability |
Learning disability | Person with a learning or cognitive disability |
Mobility/physical disability | Wheelchair user, person with a physical disability |
Emotional disability | Person with an emotional disability |
Cognitive disability | Person with a cognitive or developmental disability |
Short stature, little person | Someone of short stature, little person, person with dwarfism |
Health conditions | Someone living with [condition], for example "someone living with cancer" |
Mental health disability | Person with a psychiatric or mental health disability |
Screener examples
Identify the disability or need:
Do you identify as living with any type of disability? (multi-select) Blindness or visual impairment · Neurodiversity · Dyslexia, dysgraphia or dyscalculia · Physical or dexterity issues · Deaf or hard of hearing · Cognitive impairment · None of the above
Do you identify as any of the following? Living with a cognitive or neurological disability · Living with a physical disability or injury · None of the above
Understand assistive technology use:
Which of the following assistive devices do you use? (multi-select) Wheelchair · Walking frame · Walking stick · Hearing aid · Screen reader · None of the above
Which of these best describes you while on a website? I never use assistive technology to help with reading and navigation · I sometimes use assistive technology · I must use assistive technology
Which of these best describes you when navigating websites? I exclusively use a keyboard (no mouse or trackpad) · I use a combination of keyboard and mouse · I use a combination of keyboard, mouse and assistive devices · Other
Understand support arrangements (you can also offer support services for the session):
Are you currently receiving services from a disability support worker? Yes · No
Short answer follow-ups for context (these carry no eligibility weight; they're for you to read):
Can you tell us a little about the nature of your disability? (If not applicable, write N/A)
If you use assistive technology to browse websites, what type/s do you use? (If not applicable, write N/A)
In your opinion, what's a good example of a shopping website that works well with the assistive technology you use? (If not applicable, write N/A)
A final note
This guide is our best advice, not an accessibility standard. If your research must align with official accessibility and disability standards, seek professional advice or work with an experienced Askable Plus researcher.