Fair Compensation

The practice of providing adequate and equitable payment to research participants for their time, expertise, and contributions. In accessibility research, fair compensation is particularly important because participants with disabilities contribute specialized lived expertise that is essential to valid research outcomes. Concerns about fair compensation include studies that offer no payment (leading to community backlash), compensation that does not account for the additional time and effort disabled participants may require, and payment structures that may affect disability benefits. Fair compensation is a key factor in community sustainability and trust.