Purpose

The purpose of this project is to increase adoption and user engagement with the 4to24 mobile app for B/LV youth and their parents, and the 4to24 App Content Portal for Professionals. 4to24 provides information and resources to promote and support parents’ involvement, knowledge, and expectations for youths’ successful transition to employment.

Research Questions

1. Is the 4to24 app content up-to-date and accurate?
2. Is the content easy to understand and applicable to users?
3. What suggestions do end users have for updates to the 4to24 app’s features and functionality?
4. What training do end users and professionals recommend for promoting the use of the 4to24 app and professional portal?
5. What are experienced users’ perspectives on the app’s benefits and its impact on their (or their child’s) transition to employment?
6. Can end users utilize 4to24’s updated features effectively, efficiently, and satisfactorily?
7. To what extent do marketing, outreach, and training increase app usage and engagement?

Study Summary

Youth who are blind or have low vision (B/LV) often face challenges in developing independent living skills and gaining work experience as they transition from school to employment. Because parental expectations and involvement play a crucial role in this process, the NRTC created the 4to24 app to help parents support their children’s growth and skill development. In response to requests from service providers, we also developed an online portal that allows professionals to view the app’s content and assist parents and youth in using it effectively.

For this project, we will explore how users experience the 4to24 app and gather stakeholder suggestions to improve its adoption and engagement, helping youth prepare for employment. Experts with extensive experience working with B/LV youth will serve as external reviewers of the app’s content.

To better understand user perspectives and gather feedback on the app’s usability, features, and functionality, we will conduct virtual focus groups with three user groups: parents, youth (age 18+), and professionals. We will also conduct in-depth interviews with up to 10 experienced users. Based on this input, we will make appropriate updates to the app and test the usability and feasibility of the new features.

Expected Outcomes and Benefits

This project will help us better understand the preferences and needs of B/LV youth, their parents, and service providers in using the 4to24 app to support employment preparation. By gaining insight into user experiences and expectations, we can further develop the app to expand its reach and adoption—ultimately helping B/LV youth and their families navigate the transition to employment more effectively.