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

Thu Jul 14 14:54:40 UTC 2022

Hi marsha.
I'm not sure. I didn't know there was a QR code on the box, that would
have been helpful information. Did the QR Code take you to a web page
with the information in Safari? This info needs to be included
somewhere. If you are totally blind and don't have sighted people to
help you know there is a QR code available, how can you know? There is
nothing that indicates on the box that one exists. At least, not on
the one I received.

Scott

On 7/14/22, Kat Bottner via NFB-DB <nfb-db at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 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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