Rehabilitation Research Design and Disability (R2D2) Center, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, 53211
ABSTRACT
This paper reports on the development and evaluation of a new methodology to evaluate if medical device purchase decisions are affected when accessibility information is included for individuals with disabilities. Accessibility information was presented as quantitative scores, obtained from the MED-AUDIT, a prototype measurement instrument used to measure the accessibility of medical devices. This study included the development of a web-based survey using a discrete choice methodology and three pilot studies to evaluate the usability and accessibility of the survey. Preliminary pilot analysis with 18 participants with simulated disabilities established that participants prefer devices that include accessibility information versus those that do not. Participants said that the accessibility information was important to them in making their purchase decisions. The survey method for evaluating individuals with disabilities used in this study can be used to determine preferences of consumers in numerous other areas of accessibility and universal design.
Keywords
Measurement, accessibility scores, MED-AUDIT, consequences, usefulness