[NFB-DB] Taking the at-home accessible Covid test

[Marsha Drenth]

Hi Scott, 
While at the NFB convention, I had a very similar experience. I don't remember the name of the test, but this one had a bar code on the box that I scanned and which provided me alot of information. It mentioned which app I needed to download, how to do the test, the items provided, how to connect to the test and a number of additional things. Yes it had me going through screen after screen, agreeing to this and that. when it came to the video, I was not able to hear it and needed my interpreters help to know what was happening in the video. I am a very advanced Iphone user, but I can't imagine someone else trying to take this test. i am very hard of hearing and totally blind.   

Do you Scott know who the manufactures of this test are using to test the covid testing product? 
There is alot more work to be done to making these tests fully accessible. 

 

Marsha drenth  
Sent with my IPhone  
Please note that this email communication has been sent using my iPhone. As such, I may have used dictation and had made attempts to mitigate errors. Please do not be hesitant to ask for clarification as necessary. 

> On Jul 14, 2022, at 9:29 AM, Scott Davert via NFB-DB <nfb-db at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Good morning all.
> I had to take a Covid test over the weekend and figured I would share
> my experience. Since I do not have any vision, I'm not able to provide
> feedback from that perspective. First, the box that arrives contained
> 2 tests. However, to do this
> test, you must download an app and pair the test analyzer to your
> phone through an app. The problem? If you can’t read the small print
> (through OCR or vision) instructions that come with the kit, there is
> no way to know what app
> you are looking for, as it’s not stated on the website where you can
> order the kit. Furthermore, searching the iOS App Store with the term
> “accessible Covid-19 tests” will pull up the wrong application. The
> one needed for this process is called "Ellume COVID-19 Home Test." It
> can be Downloaded for the iPhone on the iOS App Store, or if you are
> an Android user, from the Google Play Store.
> After downloading the app, upon first launch, you will need to agree
> to let the app access Bluetooth and several other things. you must
> then register before you can go through the process of taking the
> test. They demand your first, middle and last name, date of birth,
> city and zip code. As someone without a disability, I could pick up a
> Covid test, or order my test, and won’t have to provide any
> information. Why should someone with a disability not have the same
> right? Since I do have that right, I give them fake information other
> than the state and Zip code. There are other things that they would
> like, such as your email address and phone number, but these things
> aren’t necessary. When on the registration page, there are several
> mislabeled buttons and the dropdown menu, or Picker Item as VoiceOver
> calls it, is treated as a text field.
> After filling out all of the information, you must then agree with
> their Terms of Service. On this screen, the button or checkbox to do
> so is simply labeled “x”.  The element on the app that says “I
> agree….” Is a link to these Terms Of Service and will open them in
> your web browser. It’s not a showstopper, but it can be a bit
> confusing.
> Next, you will be required to watch a video which outlines the
> procedure, even if you have done so the first time. For braille users,
> especially those without the ability to hear speech, be prepared for
> your braille display to go completely blank during the video. Though
> it may not happen to you, it is something I had happen both times when
> completing the process.
> Once the video ends, which should be roughly 5 minutes after it is
> started, you will be moved to the next  screen which will be useable
> with braille. Though the video is not accessible via braille, the
> instructions give you the same information as the video, so you won’t
> actually miss anything.
> The first step they cover is turning on the analyzer. They describe
> pressing and holding a button for a few seconds until a light starts
> flashing slowly. After trying to connect through the app, it will
> inform you that you need to press and hold the button again until the
> light flashes quickly and then turns a solid green color. However, if
> you place the device close to your phone (they recommend 3 inches/7.5
> CM), the app will indicate whether or not it was able to connect. I
> had to do this process 3 times before the connection was successful,
> though your mileage may vary.
> Since they do not cover the items listed in the kit, and also do not
> describe the various items at all, this could cause a person to have
> to pause and figure it out. I examined the package closely before
> beginning the instructions and was able to determine the various items
> based on touch.
> One of the perplexing things about the instructions is that there is
> something called a “child adapter” on the swab. I was able to figure
> that out also, but since there was no description of the adapter
> itself, I again had to use guess work. I did manage to get my test
> result accessibly, but it was probably much more complicated than it
> needed to be. That said, this is a step forward from where we were in
> the pandemic up to this point.
> 
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