[NFB-Idaho] Your input on accessible home medical devices

[Erin A. Olsen]

Idaho NFB members with chronic conditions or who use home devices like blood pressure monitors:

Please take 10 minutes to respond to this questionnaire. This is an important study that will help us make progress with accessible home medical devices like we have been working toward through the MEDICAL DEVICE NONVISUAL ACCESSIBILITY Act.  (I have summarized the issue and solution the act provides after the survey info below).


A group of researchers from the Rehabilitation Research Design & Disability (R2D2) Center at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is studying the effects of medical device design on product usability for people with disabilities and older adults. Blind and low-vision adults who have used medical devices are invited  to take a brief survey (10-15 minutes) and share your perspective. Survey closes January 15th. The last question offers the opportunity to tell  your story of how non-accessible medical devices have impacted you.

Access the survey here:  Qualtrics Survey | Qualtrics Experience Management<https://milwaukee.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cXP6lS8Gn9qljG6>

Summary of the  Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act


Issue--Advanced digital interfaces create barriers that prevent blind individuals from independently and safely operating home-use medical devices that are essential to their daily healthcare needs. Home-use medical devices are becoming more prevalent and less accessible for blind Americans.. Most newer models, such as glucose and blood pressure monitors, along with in-home devices that offer medical care, such as chemotherapy and dialysis, require that consumers interact with a digital display or other interfaces. This new technology is developed without consideration of nonvisual accessibility design. The inaccessibility of home-use medical devices is not a mere inconvenience, the health, safety, and independence of blind Americans is in imminent danger.





Solution: The act calls on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to consult with stakeholders with disabilities and manufacturers and issue a notice of proposed standards. The FDA will publish the final nonvisual accessibility standards. Manufacturers of home-use medical devices will then be required to make their products nonvisually accessible.