Managing Diabetes with a Visual Impairment
By Uslan, Mark; Eghtesadi, Caesar; Spiker, Angie; Schnell, Karla; Burton, Darren; Access World, Vol. 3, No. 5Publication Date: September 2002
Article evaluates five blood glucose meters in terms of their usability by people who are blind or have low vision: (1) the One Touch Ultra from LifeScan, (2) the Accu-Chek Advantage from Roche Diagnostics, (3) the FreeStyle from TheraSense, (4) the Prestige IQ from Home Diagnostics, and (5) the Sof-Tact from Medi-Sense. Blood glucose monitors that feature voice output are discussed as well, including (1) the Accu-Chek Voicemate, and (2) the One Touch SureStep. The One Touch Ultra, the Accu-Chek Advantage, and the FreeStyle were found to be highly portable, accurate, and consistent. All of the meters leave something to be desired when it comes to ease of use and font size, though. The Prestige IQ offers the largest font, but it was found to not measure up to the other meters in terms of ease of use, accuracy, or consistency. The Sof-Tact features an automated approach, and the authors found it very easy to use; however, the device uses new technology, so feedback from a wider range of users is required before a proper evaluation is performed. The Accu-Check Advantage was found to have the most ease-of-use features. In the field of blood glucose monitors that feature voice output, the SureStep is smaller than the Accu-Check Voicemate, offers slightly faster response time, and was slightly more accurate in testing. The Accu-Chek Voicemate was found to be easier to use because of such features as code key calibration, capillary strips with a tactile notch, and the use of a smaller blood sample. Speech access was found to be acceptable in both models.
Assistive Products Discussed: ACCU-CHEK VOICEMATE SYSTEM
FREESTYLE BLOOD GLUCOSE MONITORING SYSTEM
ONETOUCH ULTRAMINI BLOOD GLUCOSE MONITORING SYSTEM
ONETOUCH ULTRA 2 BLOOD GLUCOSE MONITORING SYSTEM
ONETOUCH ULTRASMART BLOOD GLUCOSE MONITOR
ONETOUCH ULTRALINK METER (MODELS MS-02184101L & HMS-02184201L)
ACCU-CHEK ADVANTAGE
Published by: AFB Press (Website:http://www.afb.org/Section.asp?SectionID=46)
American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) (Web Site: http://www.afb.org )
Link to text: http://www.afb.org/afbpress/pub.asp?DocID=AW030503
