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Using Talkback on Android Phone with Libre Sensor

A

AndyWol

Newbie
Messages
3
Type of diabetes
Other
Treatment type
Insulin
Why don’t they make devices accessible to visually impaired users! My partner has been blind since a child and was diagnosed with type 1 a couple of years ago. The NHS really struggled to find her a talking meter, eventually finding an old one in a back of a cupboard. She learnt to use this except you have to squeeze out a large amount of blood when you’re blind to ensure you get enough on the test strip.

She has recently started using a Freestyle libre which is so much easier, but it is so frustrating as it does not talk. As she lives independently she has to Facetime me to read her meter, but obviously this is not an ideal solution.


We have looked at the app but it is not available for IOS, only Android and her current Iphone does not have NFC either. She is willing to purchase an Android phone with NFC if we could guarantee the app is compatible with Talkback accessibility function on the phone. Obviously it is a big investment to purchase a new phone and a sensor if it does not work, so does anybody know if this combination would work or are able to assist us in testing this functionality on their Android phone if they are using it as a scanner for their Libre sensor?


I have Emailed Freestyle several times but just keep getting their standard reply thanking me for my feedback Grrrr!!

Thanks
Andy
 
I'm sure someone out there is using an android phone with the Libre and can test to see if talkback works with the libre app. I'm just trying to think if I know of any members who do................

I guess most meter manufacturers think blind or partially sighted T1Ds always live with a sighted person all the time. :facepalm:

edit: @tim2000s might have a better idea, he's into his tech
 
The other thing is, never email Abbott. Always call them. They tend to never respond to email or call back.
 
I'm afraid I can't help with your Libre issue; but I do hope you get some results soon!

I got a wee card in a box of GlucoRx FinePoint needles I opened yesterday, and immediately thought of this thread. Apparently they have a meter with audio feedback which may prove a better alternative to the old meter your partner is using?

https://glucorx.co.uk/our-products/nexus-voice-meter/

The card says "upgrade your meter for free", so whether you have a GlucoRx meter or not - you may be able to get one anyway. These companies make more money from test strips than meters anyway - so they're normally pretty good at giving them away:)

Contact details are as below:

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 01483 755 133

As @tim2000s has said, you'll probably have better success if you give them a ring.

Good luck,
Grant
 
AndyWol said:
Why don’t they make devices accessible to visually impaired users! My partner has been blind since a child and was diagnosed with type 1 a couple of years ago. The NHS really struggled to find her a talking meter, eventually finding an old one in a back of a cupboard. She learnt to use this except you have to squeeze out a large amount of blood when you’re blind to ensure you get enough on the test strip.

She has recently started using a Freestyle libre which is so much easier, but it is so frustrating as it does not talk. As she lives independently she has to Facetime me to read her meter, but obviously this is not an ideal solution.


We have looked at the app but it is not available for IOS, only Android and her current Iphone does not have NFC either. She is willing to purchase an Android phone with NFC if we could guarantee the app is compatible with Talkback accessibility function on the phone. Obviously it is a big investment to purchase a new phone and a sensor if it does not work, so does anybody know if this combination would work or are able to assist us in testing this functionality on their Android phone if they are using it as a scanner for their Libre sensor?


I have Emailed Freestyle several times but just keep getting their standard reply thanking me for my feedback Grrrr!!

Thanks
Andy
Click to expand...
Andy, I just had a quick play on an android phone. Glimp has a text to voice option which will read out the scan and also the direction of travel. in my case "6.4 stable". Steve
 
steve_p6 said:
Andy, I just had a quick play on an android phone. Glimp has a text to voice option which will read out the scan and also the direction of travel. in my case "6.4 stable". Steve
Click to expand...

show off ;)
 
@steve_p6 - A lot of people have experienced sensor failures when using the Glimp app in the past. I don't know whether this issue has been resolved yet; but the only way to find out for sure may be expensive...

It may be a risk worth taking if it makes life easier for @AndyWol's partner though.
 
GrantGam1337 said:
@steve_p6 - A lot of people have experienced sensor failures when using the Glimp app in the past. I don't know whether this issue has been resolved yet; but the only way to find out for sure may be expensive...

It may be a risk worth taking if it makes life easier for @AndyWol's partner though.
Click to expand...
Yes it was just a quick test. If Andy tries the Libre Geeks on Facebook they will have plenty of tips. The SW3 and Libre Alarm will put readings out as notifications which could easily feed a voice app.
 
Hi all,
Many thanks for your replies. I have been working on a solution for when she is at home so she can use her Iphone to read the Libre meter. It's a bit crude but it seems to work, as she is blind it allows her to line up her phone camera with the reader and using OCR software on the phone take a picture and the results read out using voiceover. Just need to start work on version 2 a potable folding device
Meter reader1.jpg
 
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