[Diabetes-Talk] AIRA & pump questions

Tue Jun 25 20:31:08 UTC 2019

Since I won't be at the convention, here are a few thoughts I hope some of
you might be willing to share if you're talking with the Aira
representatives.

1. Time-out: All pumps will time out within 60 seconds or so. They usually
dim the screen after maybe 30 seconds or so and there's no way for us to
know when that happens or set the screen to not do that. So your Aira agent
may not see anything if the screen has dimmed or may not be connected before
the pump times out. With some pumps, you could lose the transaction you were
in the midst of.

2. Screens: The most common thing I see Aira users struggle with is not
quite knowing what agents can and cannot see through your phone. As I think
about how much time I spend positioning the Seeing AI app, it might be worth
understanding the frustration that could occur here.

3.  Liability: When I think about the process of changing my pod, for
instance, once the new pod is on and I hit the start button, the screen
presents a question, is the cannula inserted correctly, and I must answer
yes or no. Obviously on my own I have no idea so I just say yes. One must be
taught how to visually look at the cannula and know if it went in correctly
and it's very hard to see in person. So if I were running Aira, I'd want to
be a bit careful lest an agent be reported by a blind person for saying
everything looked good when something confirmed a problem later. This is the
challenge with medical stuff. Also, many pumps use icons rather Than words
on the screen. We would not be in a position to know what the ridiculous
symbols mean nor would the agent without studying a manual. Even my hubby,
who has the manual and lives with me, had trouble remembering which
direction meant full or just about done battery, for instance.

4.  What is visible: If I were using an Aira agent to help with a pod
change, well, I either have to take my top off to place a pod on my arm, or
have my pants down to place a pod on my belly. Hmmm, if I hold up the remote
for someone to read, how much of my undressed body would show?

5.  Connection: As has already been said here, inability to get a connection
when one was used to relying on it could present real problems for the pump
user. 

Anyway, hope these thoughts may prove useful. Thanks.

Veronica

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-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Jeanette Kutash via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Monday, June 24, 2019 8:36 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Cc: Jeanette Kutash
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] AIRA & pump questions

Dar, as much as I pay for Aira and use it, there are times when not getting
a connection makes it not a viable option, and that is why we need the
accessability built into products. 

Jeanette 

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Monday, June 24, 2019 11:01 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Cc: Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] AIRA & pump questions

But Dar, companies are already referring to AIRA as a viable fix for blind
people, insisting why this is why they don't have to make products
accessible. And asking a sighted friend or family is not the same as
on-the-demand sighted assistance 24/7 with AIRA. So no, you can't say the
same for other types of sighted help.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of d m gina
via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Monday, June 24, 2019 8:53 PM
To: diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
Cc: d m gina <dmgina at mysero.net>
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] AIRA & pump questions

Well that could be said for anything, don't ask a sighted person for help
because if you do then you don't need any blind products.
Just sit back and do nothing wait for the world to pass you buy, and wonder
what happened to your life while it was passing by.
If you can get the help to get done what is there and here now, strive for
it.
Then products as pumps can stil be used, we would still be out there, and we
still can say there is no reason why they can't put in a chip for it to talk
to us.
Even with all of the kids toys out there that talk, if they can do that,
then they can put a chip in a pump.
It shouldn't cost any more to do that.
You folks have worked well with the pumps I am proud of all of you.
Keep up the swell work, then keep on them as best you can.
At least I know if I have two colored shoes that feel the same I can call
and ask if they are the same or different.
I am really pleased they are out there, and hope they get active in many
other shops stores anything where we can get the help.
I feel even more independent walking with ira than to wait ten minutes or
more for an agent in the store to come help me out.
Glad they have places to sit.
Smile.
We are hoping companies will pay for the cost of ira so those who wish to
use it can, and those who don't, they don't have to.
It is a choice.
You get the information then you decide what you wish to do with it.

Original message:
> AIRA isn't the best way to make us independent. It's 24/7 help, but 
> it's still sighted help for things that mostly could be made 
> accessible in a way that blind people could do it without any sighted 
> help. Forms can be formatted for online use; websites can be made 
> accessible; devices can be accessible, etc. Sure, until companies get 
> a fire lit under them, AIRA is here, but what's the incentive for 
> companies to work on accessibility when services like AIRA exist? It's 
> a catch 22. We need accessibility now, but now that we have AIRA, 
> companies no longer think they need to think about accessibility.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of d 
> m gina via Diabetes-Talk
> Sent: Monday, June 24, 2019 8:05 PM
> To: diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
> Cc: d m gina <dmgina at mysero.net>
> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] AIRA & pump questions

> Joyce,
> I won't be at convention,
> Mike Henson wrote to me on ira list sharing that what we can't read, 
> ira is there for us, and does help us stay mobile in anything we want to
do.
> At no time does it make us less independent, if anything it makes us more.
> I do hope and know we will do our best to try to et companies to put 
> in a chip for talking meeters.
> If they can do it for devices then what is one more device.
> Do let us know how the conversation works out.
> Thanks again,

> Original message:
>> When this topic came up there seemed to be some chatter along with

> So... In my opinion, it's not the best tool to give us independence. 
> True independence would be possible if companies gave a shit (excuse

> BTW, this is not a negative comment on AIRA but on society in general.

> Bridgitmy French) and worked to make products and devices accessible. 
> And now with AIRA, it's not as likely they will.
>> opinions regarding the use of AIRA with a pump.  I said I would make 
>> contact with AIRA and I did.

>> I contacted Glenn Takemoto, , Account Executive andhe told me that 
>> there has been some mention of insulin pumps.  He told me he would be 
>> at Convention in Vegas and he would be interested in speaking to some 
>> of the people who have been working for us blind Diabetic pump users 
>> to get insulin pumps accessible.

>> If anyone is interested in making contact while at Convention, please 
>> send me a note off list and I will send you my conversation with him.

>> Joyce

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> --
> --Dar
> skype: dmgina23
>   FB: dmgina
> www.twitter.com/dmgina
> every saint has a past
> every sinner has a future

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--
--Dar
skype: dmgina23
  FB: dmgina
www.twitter.com/dmgina
every saint has a past
every sinner has a future

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