Shopping independently with blindness or low vision
Head into a modern shopping mall these days and more likely than not you will find accessible aids such as tactile markers at the end of escalators, and lifts incorporating braille and tactile print. These elements of accessible environmental design were once the exception, and now they are part of everyday life.
This progress can be applauded, but there’s still a long way to go. Similarly, modern technology has empowered people with more options and access to information than ever before, but it’s no silver bullet.
In this article we take a look how accessible shopping is today for people who are blind or have low vision, and share some advice for how to shop with confidence. Then, we outline progress towards introducing accessibility legislation that would ultimately redefine shopping experiences in the future.
Finding shops
Often, shops are clustered together in a strip mall (outdoor shopping area you find in a suburban place) or a shopping mall.
Adaptive Communications and Technology Trainer Chantelle Griffiths, points out that at a general level, being blind means you may walk past shops regularly and not know what is there. “Incidental browsing is less accessible, but in some high traffic areas new GPS technology is challenging this norm.”
She explains that mobile phone
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apps like BlindSquare can give audio prompts about stores around you and points of interest as you are walking down the street, and these can be customisable so you can filter for information that you care about (for example, coffee shops). Similarly, some large public spaces such as train stations and airports here in New Zealand are looking at supporting emerging wayfinding technology.
In terms of getting around, Blind Low Vision NZ Access and Awareness Advisor Chris Orr explains that while any route can be learned, often strip malls are easier to negotiate because the shops are laid out in a line and smaller in size.
“You’ve got landmarks and fixed items like walls to reference, whereas shopping malls aren’t intuitive and other clues like sound may be less useful because malls can be noisy spaces.”
Chris says it is good to see the recently opened Westfield mall in Newmarket, Auckland, offering tours for people to help them learn the layout of the mall, which is another marker of progress.
“Ultimately though, if there are places you anticipate visiting regularly it is a good idea to book in some time with someone from Blind Low Vision NZ to help you become familiar with the route and make use of mobility aids.”
- Try downloading and experimenting with apps like BlindSquare and Seeing AI.
- Ask us for help in developing skills to independently use apps like these on your phone.
- Ask us for help in navigating new routes.
Inside the shop
The good news for some shopping experiences now is that you don’t have to physically go to a shop to browse for the items you want and make a purchase.
“Some types of shopping, like groceries, can lend themselves really well to being done online. We often work with clients who have
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a goal to learn to order groceries online and while we can’t control when these companies might make changes to the layout or functionality of their app or website, our adaptive technology specialists teach skills broadly applicable so you can more easily adjust when they do,” explains Chantelle.
Chantelle shares that accessible design is also becoming more understood and naturally considered by web developers. The bigger companies are more likely to have greater tech support at hand, while smaller businesses with a more DIY approach might not realise that their website isn’t accessible. She says if a business also has an app it can be a good idea to try using both the website and the app and see what works better for you, because often the experience between the two can be quite different.
Of course, there will always be items that are best considered in store—for example, you might want to physically experience how an appliance works or try on clothes before making a purchase. Chantelle recommends online research ahead of visiting a store can be a helpful combination.
“It’s really important to be able to access shopping in a way that works for you as a person and to be able to use the tools, resources and support around you to get what you need. Part of this is knowing what options are available for where you live, for example you may qualify for assistance from people who will help you do your shopping.
“It’s a massive boost in confidence to do your shopping fully independently, and in some circumstances it may take longer but it’s achievable.”
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Chris says that your experience inside a shop can be different if you are blind or have low vision. For those with some useful vision, having the right magnification aids at hand might make the difference in being able to find and choose the items you are after. Generally speaking though, chaotic shop layouts that have tight aisles and merchandise all over the place are unhelpful.
Both Chantelle and Chris recommend a combination of strategies for enhancing your experience in the shop.
Chantelle says, “Sometimes I will call ahead and tell the shop I’m coming in so I can come at a time when there’s fewer people in the shop. Calling beforehand helps them get a sense of who you are, gives you an opportunity to find out if they have what you want, and being specific means you can be efficient with the time spent.
“If you’ve never been to the shop before, it’s also useful to ask for someone to look out for you around the time you’re coming. For those who may not be experienced in serving people who are blind, it also gives you an opportunity to guide them on what is most helpful to you.”
- Try using both the website and app for a business and see what provides a better experience for you.
- Seek advice from Blind Low Vision NZ on what the best magnification aids are for you.
- Plan and research. Don’t be afraid to make contact with the shop ahead of your visit and be specific about your preferences.
- Find out what other services may be available to support your shopping needs. Ask your Blind Low Vision NZ primary service provider for further information and advice.
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The accessible future
While Chantelle and Chris recommend proactivity as a good approach to help your shopping endeavours, they also recognise that in a perfect world this shouldn’t and wouldn’t be required.
“The fact is we still live in a world that has some way to go to embracing accessibility and removing barriers for people who are blind or have low vision. We are working on changing this from the top as part of the Access Alliance seeking the introduction of accessibility legislation into the future,” says Chris.
He says in this future, shops would be designed so that all members of the community would be able to shop independently. That would include staff awareness and training, as well as environmental design—which is about straight lines and good colour contrast for people with sight loss. He also imagines continued growth in the capability of technology to enhance shopping experiences.
Promisingly, the Access Alliance is continuing to advance the government’s commitment to designing an approach to achieve a fully accessible New Zealand. This commitment was made in 2018, after sustained pressure from the Access Alliance and our community of accessibility advocates.
You can lend your voice to the campaign by getting in touch with your local MP candidate and letting them know what accessibility means to you.
To stay up to date and for more information on getting involved, visit
accessalliance.org.nz
or phone 0800 24 33 33
Photograph caption: Aftershock headsets—enable you to listen to your phone speech while still hearing the sound around you.
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