Recently we were asked to participate in the usability testing of a new application and technology called the First Discovery Tool. The usability test is a part of a larger project that seeks to help people personalize an approach to accessibility and removing barriers to the access to digital content. The project will result in the creation of a freely available, open source tool, which walks users through the process of discovering preferences for how they would like to access and interact with online content. The tool will help users record their preference settings--such as language, font size, color contrast, video captions, and speech rate, among others.

ISKME, (the project lead) based in Silicon Valley, CA. is an independent, education nonprofit whose mission is to improve the practice of continuous learning, collaboration, and change in the education sector. Established in 2002, ISKME conducts social science research, develops research-based innovations and facilitates innovation that improves knowledge sharing in education.

The project is funded by National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research / U.S. Department of Health & Human Services whose mission is to enhance and protect the health and well-being of all Americans. They fulfill their mission by providing effective health and human services and fostering advances in the medicine, public health, and social services.

Other Partners include IBM, Inclusive Technologies, Ontario College of Art and Design, Raising the Floor International and WGBH's National Center for Accessible Media.

ISKME was first introduced to the Oklahoma City, Oklahoma SeniorNet Center - Charlene Francis, Center Leader and Ann Knutson, Instructor. The objective was to better understand our operational structure, offerings and the value students receive from SeniorNet. This visit proved to constructive and rewarding for SeniorNet.

The actual usability testing took place at our Huntington, New York SeniorNet Center with the support of Pat McAsey, Center Leader and the Huntington Volunteers. In follow up conversations with the ISKME Project Team - it is clear that the Huntington testing and interaction was "incredibly valuable". SeniorNet will be involved in the future design and development of this application.