Participant Verification

The process of confirming that research participants genuinely meet a study's eligibility criteria, particularly regarding disability status. Verification is complicated by multiple factors: different models of disability define disability differently; online and remote recruitment makes verification harder; generative AI can produce responses that mimic genuine participant experiences; and overly rigorous verification can feel invasive or distrustful to participants. The tension between ensuring data validity and respecting participant self-identification is a growing concern as accessibility research increasingly uses online platforms.