Dear Diary: Conducting Diary Studies with Participants with Visual Impairments

Within this report we critically reflect on our experiences using a diary study used to understand the use of social networking sites (SNS) by persons with a visual impairment. We elaborate on the development of the data collection process and the challenges involved in retrieving the data from the participants. Feedback from the participants during post-study interviews revealed that most participants were indifferent to the methods for submitting the diary entries and did not find it a challenge. Most of the participants found the process to be a positive experience for self-awareness of their social media use while reporting little to no adverse effects of carrying out the study. Lastly, we provide reflections and lessons learned from the process.