[Diabetes-Talk] 530 G Pump

[Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter]

It’s not illegal because there’s currently no law demanding accessibility with medical devices. The ADA does provide guidance with websites and now apps, but the law isn’t real specific, which is why we still encounter accessibility issues with digital platforms. However, each year, more and more lawsuits against companies happen because a digital platform is inaccessible, and more and more companies lose in the legal action, being forced to build accessibility into its digital spaces. But this isn’t happening with medical devices yet, and since the ADA doesn’t make provisions for med devices, it would be more difficult to litigate.

 

Bridgit

 

From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Matt Davis via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Monday, August 17, 2020 10:09 AM
To: Diabetes-Talk at nfbnet.org
Cc: Matt Davis <mdavisforalternatives at gmail.com>
Subject: [Diabetes-Talk] 530 G Pump

 

What to do now?? 

For those of us using this pump and having spoken with the pump reps, our physicians and still continue to do so, about this dilemma without success, seems illegal for Medtronic.

Different thoughts have arisen, why can’t the company continue with this model?

Acu Chek had a pump that was designed for the sighted person to control the pump non-visually(my understanding was that the people researched wanted a pump that they could manipulate while it was in their pocket or at least under the table in order not to distract from conversation going around them)

So, my understanding was that Acu Chek designed their pumps for that reason.

and because they did, blind people could use them. 

About 23 years ago, I bought one of their pumps. We Received training from Mary Leighton, an RN at the Diabetes Education Center of the Midlands. Because of its accessibility, I was interviewed with the Omaha World Herald newspaper as being the first blind person in Nebraska to use an Acu Chek pump.  

Within the last 10 years, the company went out of business. I feared going on the Metronic pump as I knew I would not have the independence I had with the Acu Chek pump. I have been using this 530 G for a few years now. It seems that if companies could design their pumps back then to have tones and vibrations, certainly, Metronic can design one now!

My question is, “Why haven’t they?”

Sincerely,

Mary

 

 

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