International Day of Persons with Disabilities: asking for adjustments in research

Why research needs your voice

Each year on December 3, the world marks the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. This day reminds the world that society must include disabled people in every area of life. That includes market research. Market research is how companies learn what people want to buy, use, and experience. If disabled people are left out of these studies, companies build products that do not work for everyone.

Many people avoid signing up for research panels because they worry the studies will be too hard to complete. You might wonder if a survey will work with your screen reader. You might worry that a video interview will move too fast for you to follow. These are normal concerns.

Researchers want to hear from you. They need your opinions to make better decisions. To get your honest feedback, they must make it possible for you to take part. This means making adjustments. An adjustment is a change to how a study happens so that a disabled person can take part comfortably. You have the right to ask for these changes. Read more about why research needs disabled voices.

Adjustments for online surveys

Online surveys are the most common type of market research. You answer questions on your computer or phone in your own time. Even with this flexibility, you might still need specific adjustments to complete them without frustration.

If you use a screen reader to read text aloud, or magnification software to make text bigger, the survey platform needs to work properly with your tools. You can ask the research panel if their surveys meet standard accessibility guidelines. If a specific survey blocks your screen reader, you should report it to the panel support team. They can pass this feedback to the client who wrote the questions so they can fix the error.

Sometimes surveys have strict time limits. For example, a survey might close automatically if you stay on the same page for ten minutes. If you have a cognitive disability, or if you simply need more time to read, these limits are stressful. You can contact the panel and ask them to remove time limits on your account or for specific studies.

You might also struggle with certain question types. Grid questions ask you to rate many items in a large table. These are often difficult to read on a mobile phone or with a screen reader. Researchers can change these into simpler question formats if they know they cause problems. You can always write a message to the panel if a certain format is stopping you from giving your answers.

Adjustments for focus groups and interviews

Market research also includes live conversations. A focus group is a discussion with a few other people, led by a researcher. An in-depth interview is a one-to-one conversation between you and a researcher. These often happen over a video call. You can read our online focus group tech checklist to see how these calls usually work.

Live studies often require different adjustments than standard surveys. Depending on your needs, you might ask for the following changes:

• Closed captions: If you are deaf or hard of hearing, most video platforms have captioning features that researchers can turn on.
• Sign language interpreters: You can ask the researcher to hire a professional interpreter to join your video call.
• Text-based sessions: If video calls are exhausting, you can type messages to the researcher in a secure chat room instead.
• Frequent breaks: If you experience fatigue, you can ask to split a long interview into two shorter sessions or schedule a short rest.

How to ask researchers for what you need

Asking for an adjustment can feel awkward, but it is a standard part of the research process. The best time to ask is during the screening phase. A pre-screener is a short questionnaire that checks if you are the right fit for a study. These short surveys often end by asking if you have any questions or need any adjustments. You should use this text box to type exactly what you need.

If the screener does not ask, you can email the research team directly. When you receive an invitation to an interview or focus group, reply to the email. Keep your message simple and direct. You do not have to explain your medical history or your disability in detail.

You only need to explain how the study format affects you and what change you need. For example, you can write that you need all reading materials sent to you two days before the interview. This gives you time to read them at your own pace.

If a researcher cannot provide the adjustment you need, they should tell you immediately. Sometimes a specific tool is not available for a certain project. If that happens, they might offer a different way for you to take part.

What researchers should do to help you

Good researchers know that planning for accessibility makes their data better. They should not wait for you to ask for help. They should design their studies to be accessible from the start.

Researchers should write survey questions in plain language. They should avoid confusing jargon and complicated sentences. When they show you a video during a survey, that video must include captions and a text transcript.

If a researcher sends you a product to test at home, the instructions should be clear and easy to read. They should use large text and high contrast colors. They should also offer the instructions in different formats, like an audio recording or a digital text file.

During a live interview, researchers should speak clearly and face the camera. They should describe any images or graphs they show on the screen. If you ask for an adjustment, they should arrange it without making you feel like a burden. Their job is to listen to your opinions, and they must create a comfortable environment for you to share them.

Participating on your own terms

Taking part in market research is a way to share your opinions and earn some rewards. It should never feel like a stressful test. By asking for the adjustments you need, you make the experience better for yourself. You also help researchers learn how to build more accessible studies in the future.

When you join a research panel, you get to choose which studies you accept. If a survey looks too long, you can simply close it. If a video interview does not sound appealing, you can ignore the invitation. You participate on your own schedule and on your own terms.

If you are ready to share your views, you can create a free account with Reward Hours today. We want to hear from people of all backgrounds and abilities. Your voice helps shape the products and services of tomorrow.

Common questions

Do I have to prove my disability to get an adjustment?

No, you do not need to provide medical records or a doctor's note to ask for an adjustment in market research. You just need to tell the research team what changes will help you complete the study comfortably.

Will asking for extra time affect my rewards?

Asking for extra time or other adjustments does not reduce your rewards. If you complete the study, you earn the exact same reward as any other participant.

What if an adjustment I need is not available?

Sometimes a specific technical tool might not work for a particular study. If a researcher cannot provide your exact request, they should talk with you to find a different solution that still allows you to take part.