[Diabetes-talk] iBGStar

Thu Jan 23 19:08:23 UTC 2014

Good afternoon Eileen,

My vision varies from total blackness, to light perception, and on my good days a tiny bit better than light perception. They tell me I am some where North of 20/5000. I do not consider it to be anywhere close to where it should be. They have lots of room for improvement. That said on my total blackout days I can still manage to at least get a reading and find my average. The graphs are not very usable without some vision in my opinion. 

Since the Avucheck Voicemate no one seems to really understand the market. When I talk to companies I am exploring. I tell them to unplug their mouse and turn off their monitor. Now try using your computer. For the various diagnosis meters. I tell them to close their eyes and now try to operate their device (Glucometer, Pulse Oxymeter, …).

On Jan 23, 2014, at 12:57 CST, eileen scrivani <etscrivani at verizon.net> wrote:

> Hi Gregory,
> 
> Just wondering if you  are using the IBG meter as a totally blind person or with some level of vision?  I am tempted to give it a try since I'm getting a bit fed up with the Solus and had in the past used Prodigey and not terribly impressed with that one either.
> 
> I believe it is the way of all these medical/pharmaceuticle type companies not to respond to any input or suggestions on improvements.  I have been pump shopping and with all the companies I have talked with, none can tell me why they don't, can't, won't build in any level of better accessibility for those diabetics who have lost vision.  When I ask the reps if they have any input with higher ups in their companies the standard response to that runs along the lines of "I don't get paid enough," or "I'm the low man on the ...."  It is a very discouraging situation.
> 
> Eileen
> 
> 
> -----Original Message----- From: Gregory D. Rosenberg
> Sent: Thursday, January 23, 2014 12:54 PM
> To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind
> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] iBGStar
> 
> Good morning everyone,
> 
> I bought an iBGStar shortly after it came to market. It works OK and is fairly accessible. They have some room for improvement. I have big hands and their strips are smaller than most. So when I drop on on the kitchen table it is a bit harder to pick up. As a software developer I have higher expectations than many other users since I know in my mind how would would have coded their app. It is a little better than good. I have sent them feedback, but have not received any reply to my emails showing interest on their part.
> 
> On Jan 22, 2014, at 22:24 CST, Mike Freeman <k7uij at panix.com> wrote:
> 
>> An update:
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> I hadn't looked at the iBGStar app from Sanofi-Aventis since early this
>> fall. An update was released in December, 2013, which resolved a bunch of
>> problems such that the app would work with iOS versions from 3 on and
>> iPhones from the 3GS to the iPhone 5C and 5S. Although I haven't read clear
>> through the documentation yet and won't get a chance to do so until after
>> Washington Seminar, it appears that this version of the app, though awkward
>> (one must double-tap buttons labeled with numbers to enter values), is
>> accessible using VoiceOver. This is a vast improvement on the version of the
>> app Veronica Elsea and I tested early this past fall. So when I get back
>> from DC, I may purchase the meter and some test strips and give the app a
>> go.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> One can enter bg readings, insulin and carbs into the app's database using
>> these number buttons, as I say, though exactly how it all fits together
>> won't be clear to me until I read through the documentation.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Some cautions: it is not clear to me that a blind person can set up the
>> meter that talks to the iBGStar app independently, i.e., set its date/time,
>> pair up the Bluetooth connection with the iPhone, etc. I do not immediately
>> see a way to do any of this from the iPhone app and this makes sense; the
>> app only works with the meter once the iPhone is paired with it.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> This isn't exactly an accessible insulin pump but it has some possibilities
>> for Alan although, as I say, I'd bet the meter itself could not be set up by
>> a blind person which would negate the usefulness of the system unless one
>> wished to use the iBGStar app only to record one's log.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Mike Freeman
>> 
>> 
>> 
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> 
> 
> 
> P.S. Text the word BLIND to 85944 to donate $10 to the NFB Imagination Fund via your phone bill.
> 
> --
> 73' & 75'
> Gregory D. Rosenberg AB9MZ
> gregg at ricis.com
> 
> RICIS, Inc.
> 7849 Bristol Park Drive
> Tinley Park, IL 60477-4594
> http://www.ricis.com
> 
> 708-267-6664 Cell
> 708-444-2690 Office
> 708-444-1115 Fax (Call First)
> We are tired of SPAM faxes.
> 
> 
> 
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> 
> 
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P.S. Text the word BLIND to 85944 to donate $10 to the NFB Imagination Fund via your phone bill.

--
73' & 75'
Gregory D. Rosenberg AB9MZ
gregg at ricis.com

RICIS, Inc.
7849 Bristol Park Drive
Tinley Park, IL 60477-4594
http://www.ricis.com

708-267-6664 Cell 
708-444-2690 Office
708-444-1115 Fax (Call First)
We are tired of SPAM faxes.

NOTICE: This e-mail message and all attachments transmitted with it are intended solely for the use of the addressee and may contain legally privileged and confidential information. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, or an employee or agent responsible for delivering this message to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, copying, or other use of this message or its attachments is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately by replying to this message and please delete it from your computer.