CLEVELAND, Ohio — There are over 280,000 visually impaired Ohioans based on the Ohio Division of Well being and Allison Meloy is one in every of them, she mentioned navigating COVID-19 whereas being blind is hard.
“There was at the very least one time that I keep in mind I needed to have a member of the family help me with taking the [COVID] check, for me that was a really nerve-wracking expertise as a result of I didn’t wish to probably expose them had I turned out to be covid constructive,” mentioned Meloy.
Fortunately a brand new state partnership with the app, Be My Eyes, goals to stage the enjoying discipline.
“It’s life-changing and probably lifesaving,” mentioned Meloy.
The app pairs visually impaired customers with a volunteer through video chat who helps them full visible duties or reply questions.
This primary-of-its-kind partnership with the Ohio Division of Well being, pairs customers with a specialised pharmacy that aids the person through video chat with a COVID-19 check.
“These of us who’re blind or visually impaired, expertise plenty of challenges not solely in administering an at-home COVID-19 check but in addition decoding the outcomes, it’s actually close to to unattainable,” mentioned Meloy.
After downloading the app you go to the specialised assist part and choose the Ohio COVID-19 testing help tab.
Throughout enterprise hours you’ll be able to name the pharmacy, to get assist together with your check, however hours are Monday by Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“It’s tremendous necessary as a result of we wish to be sure that all people within the state of Ohio regardless of the place they’re positioned or what challenges they may be going through has entry to sources to maintain themselves secure,” mentioned Mark Hamlin with the Ohio Division of Well being.
Hamlin works with the Ohio Division of Well being and tells me the partnership is barely about two weeks previous.
“We’re gearing up on the vacations proper now and plenty of persons are getting along with household and buddies,” mentioned Hamlin. “Testing is a good way for folks to understand it’s secure for them to be with their household.”
“That is the place know-how actually turns into the nice equalizer for these of us who’re blind or visually impaired,” mentioned Meloy.
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