[Electronics-talk] Fw: [nfbcs] Looking for Blind VoiceOver Users To Test SideCar Ride Sharing App & Report Accessibility Experiences

[Tracy Carcione]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mika Pyyhkala" <pyyhkala at gmail.com>
To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list" 
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org>; "nfbcs" <nfbcs at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, April 10, 2013 11:54 PM
Subject: [nfbcs] Looking for Blind VoiceOver Users To Test SideCar Ride 
Sharing App & Report Accessibility Experiences


> Download the app here:
> http://t.co/Sn1cpcQLyf
> File Accessibility Reports by Email to:
> e-hail at nfbma.org
> Twitter: @pyyhkala @NFBMA @EHaila11y
>
> Greetings,
>
> The NFB of Massachusetts and Mika Pyyhkala are investigating the
> accessibility of the SideCar ride sharing app to blind VoiceOver users
> with Apple iOS devices.
>
> Here are some questions and answers about this project:
>
> Q: What is SideCar Ride?
> A: SideCar Ride is one of several emerging E-Hail apps that allow you
> to request a ride or ground transportation via a mobile phone or
> device.  Other E-Hail apps you may have heard of include Uber, Hailo,
> Lift, etc.  These apps allow you to track the arrival of your vehicle
> with your smartphone, check the availability of nearby vehicles,
> complete payment electronically, and receive accessible digital email
> receipts.  E-Hail apps have many benefits to riders and drivers that
> were previously not possible or available.
>
> Q: What citys is SideCar currently available in?
> A: San Francisco, Seattle, Los Angeles, Austin, Philadelphia, Chicago,
> Boston, Brooklyn, NY and Washington, D.C.
>
> Q: What are some of the more interesting features of the SideCar Ride
> app and service?
> A: SideCar advertises that users can see the number and location of as
> well as the ETA of the nearest SideCar vehicle available to give rides
> in your area based on your GPS position.  Once you request a ride, you
> can track the vehicle as it approaches your pickup point.  Also,
> SideCar Ride uses an innovative pricing model where you, the
> passenger, specify a "donation," amount to pay the driver.  You may
> elect to pay nothing, to pay less than the suggested donation amount,
> to pay the exact suggested donation amount, or to pay more than the
> suggested donation amount.  In other words, you as the rider, pick the
> amount you elect to pay for any given ride.  The app also allows and
> requires you to rate your driver to close out and complete a ride
> transaction.
>
> Q: How can I find out more details about the SideCar Ride app and service?
> A: The SideCar Ride web site is located at
> http://side.cr
> The company is on Twitter @SideCar and also city specific Twitter
> accounts are available such as @SideCarBOS @SideCarDC etc.  You can
> also email questions to
> support at side.cr
> Feel free to ask the company both general and accessibility related
> questions.  You may be able to find out more about SideCar by
> searching on the internet or Youtube as well.
>
> Q: Are there any promotions or discounts that I can use to try SideCar 
> Ride?
> A: An existing SideCar Ride user can refer you to the service, and
> each party receives a $10 credit.  There are also various promotion
> codes that you may be able to find on Twitter or on the internet.  If
> you know someone who uses SideCar Ride, they may be able to help you
> find discounts to try the service.
>
> Q: When I email e-hail at nfbma.org what kind of information should I 
> include?
> A: Please include your full name, the city and state you tried
> SideCar, and your experience using the app with VoiceOver.  You may,
> for example, describe how the signup process worked with VoiceOver, or
> how the process to request and complete a ride worked with VoiceOver.
> If you get stuck in any part of the process, please report this.
> Please also include a telephone number where we can contact you to get
> further information.
>
> Q: What will happen with the information I submit about SideCar Ride
> accessibility?
> A: Mika Pyyhkala and the NFB of Massachusetts are researching the
> accessibility of SideCar.  We will work to address any accessibility
> issues that are found in the app or service.  We are looking for both
> your experience in trying the service, and also for people who can
> help with any accessibility issues found in various SideCar citys.  We
> will give you indstructions and more information after you file your
> initial accessibility report, and as we evaluate the accessibility of
> SideCar.
>
> Q: Is similar accessibility research being done regarding other E-Hail
> apps like Lift, Uber, Hailo, etc.?
> A: Yes, and if you have a story about one of these apps please feel
> free to send it to e-hail at nfbma.org
> Right now, it is most important that we have blind VoiceOver users
> test and evaluate the accessibility of SideCar.  In the coming weeks
> and months, we may send out similar requests regarding other E-Hail
> apps.
>
> Q: If I don't live in a current SideCar city, can I still participate?
> A: Yes, you can still install and register for SideCar.  You can use
> the service when you travel to a supported city, and the company is
> actively expanding the citys serviced.  You can still provide
> VoiceOver accessibility feedback on the signup process for SideCar,
> and the overall interface of the app.
>
> Best,
> Mika Pyyhkala,
> Board Member
> National Federation of the Blind
> pyyhkala at gmail.com
> Twitter: @pyyhkala
>
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