As provinces scale back PCR testing for COVID-19, many Canadians are relying on at-home rapid antigen tests for diagnostic purposes – including the 1.5 million Canadians who are blind or partially sighted.
CNIB has heard loud and clear from our community that people with sight loss are unable to independently read the printed instructions, administer the tests with accuracy, or verify the results of rapid antigen tests – meaning Canadians with sight loss do not have access to an important tool in the fight against COVID-19.
CNIB therefore calls on provincial governments and local public health authorities to ensure that tests are made accessible to people who are blind or partially sighted. This includes all testing instructions, in the alternate format of choice, by the individual – braille, large print, digital or audio.
In the United Kingdom, the NHS is utilizing the “Be My Eyes Specialized Help” app for individuals to connect with sighted support agents through their smart phone. These agents have received special training from the COVID rapid test manufacturers and are able to walk a person who is blind or partially sighted through all the steps and the test results. Here is one example of how Be My Eyes Specialized Help can support a person with sight loss to administer the test safely and independently.
For those who do not have the ability to utilize a smartphone device, measures must be developed to ensure that public health agencies and pharmacies are providing these tests, and can walk through the process with an individual with sight loss.
During the pandemic we recognize the great undertakings that governments have made in acquiring COVID-19 rapid testing kits intended for home use. The rollout of these tests has been critical in keeping essential services operating during the pandemic and curbing the spread of COVID-19 in our communities.
Canadians with sight loss have the right to use at home rapid test kits safely and independently, consistent with the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Accessible Canada Act, which became law in 2019.
We wish to have a further discussion with provincial governments on practical solutions that can be employed to improve the accessibility of COVID at-home testing for every Canadian.
In addition, we are still waiting for feedback on the accessibility of vaccination and vaccine passport strategies from half the provinces. As indicated in our letter sent at the beginning of the pandemic, we are posting provincial responses on our website so that people who are blind will know how to access this essential information and service. Quebec, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nunavut and the Northwest Territories have yet to respond.
As vaccination and testing are among the most important tools in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic (and potentially other diseases), we hope that provincial governments will live up to their standards and commitments in terms of accessibility and respect the rights of people who are blind or partially sighted. CNIB is here to support them.