[LINK] Fwd: vip-l: Electoral Commission Seeking Sydney-based people for user testing [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]

[Jan Whitaker]

This was sent to a list for people with vision impairments. Thought 
linkers might be interested in what is going on in the electronic 
voting space from the AEC.
Jan


>The Australian Electoral Commission is currently undertaking a 
>limited trial of accessible Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) for 
>the upcoming federal election. We are currently looking for Testers 
>in Sydney to assist us in evaluating the software providing feedback 
>on the usability of the software.
>
>Background
>
>In mid 2006 the government approved the path forward for the 
>development of EVMs to enable blind and vision impaired voters to 
>cast a secret and independent vote. The EVMS are to be located at up 
>to 30 sites around Australia for the next federal election. The AEC 
>has been working with Blindness and Vision Impairment Peak bodies to 
>guide the AEC in the development of the software and to provide 
>input as to the locations of the EVMs. Key players in this 
>development include:
>*        Vision Australia - Michael Simpson
>*        Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission - Graeme Innes
>*        Australian Federation of Disability Organisations - Maryanne Diamond
>*        Blind Citizens Australia - Nadia Mattiazzo
>
>User Testing
>
>The user testing will be carried out in Sydney on the 16th and 17th of April.
>
>The AEC is seeking a range of blind and vision impaired electors who 
>are interested to participate in user testing of the electronic 
>voting technology.
>
>The AEC will select a representative group of testers, which meet 
>the following requirements:
>*        Gender balance
>*        Age balance
>*        Computer Literacy balance
>*        Vision ranging from low vision to complete blindness
>
>If you are interested and available to assist us for an 
>approximately 2 hour sit in session on either the 16th or 17th 
>April, we would be delighted to hear from you.
>
>Please also feel free to pass this information on to people you 
>think might be interested, but who are not as computer literate.
>
>Please contact the Australian Electoral Commission on 02 6271 4611 
>and leave a message or by email to
>evoting at aec.gov.au
>to register your interest.
>
>Please note that because we will require a spread of testers who 
>meet the different requirements listed above, we may not be able to 
>accommodate all respondants to this request.
>
>Location Details
>*        The testing will be held at Citigate Sebel, 28 Albion Street Sydney
>*        Staff will be present to welcome, guide you and pay for 
>your taxi ride to and from the hotel.
>*        A stipend of $60 and cab charges will be available to 
>facilitate your attendance.
>*        Coffee and tea will be provided
>
>We look forward to hearing from interested electors
>Thank you

Jan Whitaker
JLWhitaker Associates, Melbourne Victoria
jwhit at janwhitaker.com
business: http://www.janwhitaker.com
personal: http://www.janwhitaker.com/personal/
commentary: http://janwhitaker.com/jansblog/

'Seed planting is often the most important step. Without the seed, 
there is no plant.' - JW, April 2005
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