Denied Access to Accessibility: Discrimination is Blind!

I have blogged and talked a great deal about the iphone and other Apple / Mac products because they come equipped with software that allows people with disabilities to have equal access to their innovative features. This company understands the concept of Universal Design and I commend them for that. Unfortunately, making products accessible is only the beginning of full accessibility and equal opportunity. Let me explain.

I recently demonstrated the use of Voice Over on my iphone for one of my consumers who is blind. When he saw how well the iphone would work for him, he was ecstatic. At his first opportunity he went to the local AT&T store to purchase an iphone for himself. He was told by the personnel at that store that they were not familiar with those features of the iphone and therefore they could not sell him an iphone. This is OUTRAGEOUS!!

Now, true he can go to another AT&T store or order online but just the thought of being told by a person or persons representing and selling a product that they don’t know about a built-in feature of the product and therefore they can’t sell you the product is unbelievable. This individual was discriminated against because of his disability. He told me that the people at the store told him that they were not familiar with that app. IT IS NOT AN APP!!! IT IS A BASIC FEATURE OF EVERY IPHONE!!

Anyone who has any experience with an iphone should be able to easily find this feature. Go under Settings, General, Accessibility, and VOICE OVER is at the top of the list. I must admit I was shocked when I heard this story and stunned that a company as big as AT&T has not provided their employees training on one of the basic functions of one of their most attractive products.

A lot of unfortunate things happened that day. Let’s review. Apple / Mac lost a sale, AT&T lost a potential customer, and most tragically a person who is blind was denied access to an innovative product that would meet his unique needs right out of the box. I realize discrimination is a strong word but think about this: Until the iphone became available (as long as you can find someone willing to sell you one), the only option a person who is blind had that offered complete access to a cell phone was to buy extra screen reading software at a price ranging from roughly $200.00 to $400.00, depending on the carrier and phone being used. Remember this is in addition to the cost of the phone and plan. Those who could pay those prices would grin and bear it and those who could not afford those prices would do without.

But that’s Okay right? Blind people should expect to pay more. I mean, they can’t even see!!