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

Thu Jul 14 14:06:20 UTC 2022

I used those, and the only part that was frustrating to do independently was to put the five droplets of solution into the equalizer. I was able to use Aira to help with the rest, but still the packages were not labeled for a blind person to know what was what so we still needed some sort of cited assistance.

> On Jul 14, 2022, at 10:04 AM, Rox Homstad via NFB-DB <nfb-db at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> 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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