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

Thu Jul 14 14:03:16 UTC 2022

As someone just coming out of the other side of COVID I've taken a bunch of tests over the last week. I didn't want to order the accessible ones because I wasn't sure if they would be usable by someone who is deafblind and I didn't want to take them from a hearing blind person who might be able to use them so I've been testing with my friend who also had covid when I did. 
The one thing that concerns me is that all of these tests rely on having internet or a smartphone and the advanced skill set to learn to use them and problem solve your way through the process. If we want to make a truly accessible test, it needs to work for those most marginalized, people without good internet, people who don't use smartphones on a more advanced level, etc. I understand that in theory this is a step in the right direction but from where I sit it doesn't seem like a very big one. I worry that now that the most tech savvy and wealthy among us now have this access that the advocacy for more accessible tests will slow down 
I realize this isn't a problem we will solve its just some things I've been thinking about.

Rox'E and the Kitchen Bitches
Soleil, Rowan, Phoenix
https://sneakeezebra.wordpress.com/ 
pawpower4me at gmail.com

> On Jul 14, 2022, at 8:57 AM, Marsha Drenth via NFB-DB <nfb-db at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> 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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