Bridge Multimedia Brings Cross-Disability Research Strategies to Child Development Conference

Bridge Multimedia’s Chief Research Officer and Senior Project Director, Dr. Wendy Sapp, participated in an engaging panel discussion at the Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD) conference in Minneapolis. The prestigious biennial meeting took place May 1-3 and featured a session titled “Strategies for More Inclusive and Accessible Research.” The panel discussion included Dr. Sapp; Anne Lund, Senior Director of Content and Curriculum at PBS KIDS; and Jennifer Borland, Director of Research Programs at Rockman et Al Cooperative. The participants explored best practices for inclusive research strategies that facilitate a positive experience for those with sensory, cognitive, or physical disabilities.

Bridge recently conducted research with PBS KIDS which pertained to meeting the needs of Deaf children through American Sign Language (ASL) and other strategies in shows and games, as well as identifying and improving accessibility to engage children who are blind to learn through PBS KIDS content. These initiatives align perfectly with the Society for Research in Child Development’s philosophy. According to the SRCD website, “Developmental science must explore a diverse array of biological, cognitive, psychological, social, and cultural dimensions of development through rigorous scientific inquiry that uses multiple perspectives, methods, and levels of analysis.”

In addition to hearing from the panelists, participants had the opportunity to ask questions based on their own research and experience. Dr. Sapp said,

“The roundtable panel provided a fruitful venue for discussing the challenges and benefits of inclusive research, and how it can be implemented in formative, summative, and investigative research projects. The participants walked away with a clearer understanding of the importance of including all children and families in research and some concrete tools for enhancing accessibility in all stages of their projects.”

Bridge shares SRCD’s commitment to holistic, inclusive research which raises both the quality and useability of accessible multimedia.

Matt Kaplowitz, Wendy Sapp, and the Bridge Team