Profile: joanneread
This is joanneread's Profile page. Use it to view joanneread's comments, other users' replies to these comments, and comments joanneread has endorsed.
What's Happening Now
Hi, joanneread, and thanks for your input about avoiding flashing lights and verbal recognition. One suggestion that DOT is considering is having kiosks equipped with a telephone-style handset attached to them. Do you think that this might be a potential work-around for travelers who have difficulty speaking loudly?
Hello again, Joanneread. The team at Regulation Room looked into your concern about needing additional assistance, and we think we’ve found something helpful. TSA, the agency in charge of airport security, maintains a list of Tips For the Screening Process for travelers who may need extra assistance. Specifically, they say “”Your companion, assistant, or family member may accompany you and assist you during a private or public screening. After providing this assistance, the companion, assistant, or family member will need to be rescreened.” Hope this helps.
Usable without body/skin contact:
Some people cannot easily use a touchscreen or other controls if that touchscreen requires body or skin contact. For example, a person with prosthetic hands would not be able to use a capacitive touchscreen. While it would be preferable if they could use the touchscreen directly, the person should at least be able to use alternative controls to access the device.
A new provision might read: “Usable without body contact. A least one mode of operation for all functionality shall be provided that does not require body contact or close contact.”
Usable without speech:
Some people cannot speak clearly enough or at all to use speech recognition systems. For example, a speech recognition system may be unable to understand the speech of a person who became deaf early in life. While speech recognition is not generally included as an option in today’s kiosks it is technology that is being used more widely in consumer electronics now, and a provision should be added to future-proof the legislation.
A new provision might read: “Usable without speech. At least one mode of operation for all functionality shall be provided that does not require user speech.”
Flashing & seizures:
People with photosensitive epilepsy may have seizures if there is fast, bright flashing from lights or a display. As an easy rule of thumb, fewer than three flashes per second is generally considered safe. Flashing faster than that rate may be safe, but depends on the intensity and size of the flashing area. The web content accessiblity guidelines (WCAG 2) has a standard for flashing that is useful.
I agree with jbjordan, I have epilepsy so any flashing lights are out of the question. I also can not speak loudly or clearly enough due to an implant to control my seizures. So any devices would have to be without the flashing lights, and no verbal recognition. A provision for another person to be with us would be very helpful. Some of us (a good number) get confused easily and need that extra help.
I am also in a wheelchair or have a walker a lot of the time, especially for long distances. So allowing someone to escort us to the gate, and through the check-ins would be wonderful.