Easier hospital websites and appointment systems for people who are blind or have low vision
Removing Barriers to Healthcare for People with Vision Impairment (the RAMP Program)
This project will make hospital websites and online appointment systems easier for people who are blind or have low vision to use.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11190943 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You can help refine a 'RAMP' score that measures how easy a hospital's website and appointment process is for people with low vision or who are blind. The team will test the score using real user experiences and then apply it to many academic medical centers. Those scores will be shown on a public dashboard so hospitals can be compared. Researchers will also create a practical toolbox of changes hospitals can adopt to improve online accessibility.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults who are blind or have low vision who use or try to use hospital websites and online appointment systems, especially those seeking specialty care at academic medical centers.
Not a fit: People without vision impairment or those who always arrange care by phone or in person may not see direct benefits from the online improvements.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could make it much easier for people who are blind or have low vision to find specialists and schedule appointments online.
How similar studies have performed: Universal design has improved access in other areas and some small healthcare pilots show benefit, but scaling a standardized RAMP score and public dashboard is a relatively new approach.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Iwashyna, Theodore J — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Iwashyna, Theodore J
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.