[nabs-l] Looking for Blind VoiceOver Users To Test SideCar Ride Sharing App & Report Accessibility Experiences

[Mika Pyyhkala]

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