Micro:bit keyboard accessibility testing in April 2025

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Paul Robinson

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Apr 1, 2025, 11:09:28 AMApr 1

to Blockly Accessibility

Hello everyone,

The team at Micro:bit Educational foundation are busy preparing for a round of keyboard accessibility testing of Microsoft MakeCode in April 2025 (in 2 weeks!). We are hoping to work with 4 young people (8 – 18) who have mobility or dexterity challenges and rely on keyboards or assistive technology to access a computer.

We would be grateful if you could share this message with teachers, students, colleagues, and other contacts who might be interested.

Thank you for your time and support.

Best regards,

Paul

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Hello,

Here at the Micro:bit Educational Foundation we are working with Google and Microsoft to improve the accessibility of MakeCode block-based programming. As part of this development, we are looking for participants for a Keyboard Navigation Usability Test in the USA between Monday 14th April and Friday 25th April 2025.

We are offering $50 voucher as a ‘thank you’ for participants.

👀 Who are we looking for?

Young people in education (aged 8 to 18)

People who are based in the USA

🚨 Participants need to meet one or more of the below:

Only use a keyboard and cannot use a mouse, trackpad, or touchscreen

Use assistive switches (emulating a keyboard)

Use eye gaze technology (emulating a keyboard)

📝 What is involved?

A number of fun online block-based coding tasks using MakeCode block editor

Participants describing their experience and feeding back using video and online forms

Tasks will be completed independently at home or in school, in your own time and will take 1 – 2 hours in total to complete

Participants who are aged 8 to 18 will need to complete the activities and provide feedback with the support of an adult

🌟 What experience do participants need?

Ideally have block-based coding experience

Confident using computers with their assistive technology

Understand and follow simple instructions to complete tasks on a computer

Young people should be able to express their thoughts and preferences and to a supporting adult

🗓 When will it take place?

Between Monday 14th April and Friday 25th April 2025.

🚀 How do I take part?

Simply select the link below and complete the application form. It takes about 3 minutes.

👉 Help us make block-coding more accessible – Apply Now 👈

Please note:

Applicants may be required to have a 10-minute Zoom call. If they are under 18, they will need to be accompanied during the call by an adult (parent, carer, or teacher).

Selected participants will be required to complete a consent form. For those aged 18 or under, the consent form will need to be completed by an adult (parent, carer or teacher).

🤔 What is the purpose of this research?

Through the research, we are seeking to understand a participant’s experience of block-based programming. We will be documenting the participant’s use of a block-based programming prototype through audio, photography and video recordings of the participant’s interaction – we do not want to capture the faces of participants. We will be sharing the outcomes of the research with a project group to improve computing experiences for students. We will share further details on this ahead of the session. Please see the Foundation’s Privacy & cookies policy.