Apple have recently launched an update to improve accessibility for the iWatch Activity Tracker for wheelchair users. This is fantastic news & definitely a step in the right direction, but unfortunately it still isn’t inclusive. When you go to My Watch – Health – Wheelchair, you are met with three options: Not Set, No & Yes. Can you see the problem here? What about the part time wheelchair users?
The app informs you that “When the Wheelchair [not sure why wheelchair has a capital ‘W’ setting is on, your iPhone stops tracking steps.” So to get the benefits of the technology that has gone into making this suitable for (full time) wheelchair users, those of us who are part time users aren’t able to include our steps in out activity. You can find out about the research & technology involved on fastcodesign.com (please be aware that this page includes patterned images that may not be suitable for people with photosensitivity). As a result, I’ve left my app on the ‘Not set’ option. Before the update to include the (full time) wheelchair setting, I was able to track my activity in my wheelchair. The only problem is that I don’t know how accurate this data is.
I don’t want to detract from what Apple have done. I think it’s fantastic that accessibility is being considered (but should I really feel this way? It is a disabled person’s right to have equal access!). While it’s great that Apple have created settings for full time wheelchair users, the new update does not benefit those of us who walk & wheel. I’m assuming that a setting for part time wheelchair users would be harder to create than for full time wheelchair users, but does that mean we should have to go without? Hopefully this is something Apple will be researching & rolling out in a future update.
Have you got an iWatch? How do you find the Activity Tracker?
If you’re a wheelchair user (full or part time), how have you found the new iWatch Activity Tracker for wheelchair users option?
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Gosh this is difficult, isn’t it? I agree what they’ve done is great but they need to be more inclusive for others like yourself who don’t use a chair full time.
Tamsin | http://www.ecofluffymama.com
It’s a great first step, but there’s still a long way to go. Hopefully Apple are already working on making it more accessible! Xx
I am in exactly the same position, I have looked at these settings myself and thought exactly the same thing, for me I am fairly early into my diagnosis of my conditions, so exercise isn’t something that I need to incorporate at the moment, at least until I know what is safe, but there are days I need a chair and others a walking frame around the house, so if this was the case I would prob change settings in between, although this seems a little bit of excessive hard work… maybe I might be lucky in the fact that by the time that I need to exercise this might have been addressed by apple… It might be worth giving them a phone call, sending them a tweet or if you are able popping to one of their apple stores, they pride themselves on taking customer comments on board, maybe if enough of us bring this to their attention they might take note, would even be an idea to send them a tweet linking to this post…
It sounds like you’re in a very difficult position at the moment & one I’ve been in myself. The difficulty with not exercising is that you risk muscle wastage, which can occur quickly & is much harder to build up than it is to maintain. But here I’m referring to gentle exercise, for example walking from between rooms when you are able to. Exercise in the traditional sense is usually best left until you have a diagnosis & so know what you are dealing with in terms of health. I was less cautious than you, going to pole fitness classes with PoTS symptoms but no diagnosis. Flipping upside down on the pole nearly ended very badly on a few occasions!
I debated switching between settings whether I’m using my chair or my crutches, but my memory is significantly affected, so I new that I would end up forgetting to change & then the data wouldn’t be accurate anyway.
I’ve Tweeted Apple & Apple support with a link to this post, but only done it recently so I haven’t heard back. I have a hospital appointment in Birmingham next month (my closest Apple store), so I may take a detour on the way home & speak to a member of staff. It’s great that Apple have created this feature & I really hope they continue to develop it to make it even more inclusive. Xx