Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Question about emergency panic button for the visually impaired and disabled. (self.Blind)
submitted by solar-cabin
I am in the process of designing a desktop browser based AI virtual assistant with a primary focus on the blind and mobility disabled.
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I have found a way to use your email box and set up an emergency panic email that can be sent by the virtual assistant if you press the panic button. It can be sent to people in your family, friends, neighbors, your local police/sheriff, hospital emergency or anyone you designate in the email to be a recipient.
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My reasoning for this feature is not everyone has quick access to a phone and may not be able to speak because of physical disability or because speaking might provoke harm in a situation like domestic abuse or an active attacker on the scene.
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The email can include all your information you need to tell people including name, address, medical history, name of people to call, and special instructions like where your medications are located for your condition.
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The panic button will also automatically start the computer video and audio recorder to be used as evidence and to record the emergency.
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This is not a replacement for calling 911 that would connect you to a live person that can respond and track your phone but calling 911 may not be possible in all situations or the best option for all people.
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So, my question for the visually impaired and disabled is would that be a feature you want in a virtual assistant and how are you handling an emergency situation at present based on your personal needs?
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Also, do you spend a lot of time online and use email or do you use your phone for most communications?
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I have found a way to use your email box and set up an emergency panic email that can be sent by the virtual assistant if you press the panic button. It can be sent to people in your family, friends, neighbors, your local police/sheriff, hospital emergency or anyone you designate in the email to be a recipient.
​
My reasoning for this feature is not everyone has quick access to a phone and may not be able to speak because of physical disability or because speaking might provoke harm in a situation like domestic abuse or an active attacker on the scene.
​
The email can include all your information you need to tell people including name, address, medical history, name of people to call, and special instructions like where your medications are located for your condition.
​
The panic button will also automatically start the computer video and audio recorder to be used as evidence and to record the emergency.
​
This is not a replacement for calling 911 that would connect you to a live person that can respond and track your phone but calling 911 may not be possible in all situations or the best option for all people.
​
So, my question for the visually impaired and disabled is would that be a feature you want in a virtual assistant and how are you handling an emergency situation at present based on your personal needs?
​
Also, do you spend a lot of time online and use email or do you use your phone for most communications?
[deleted] 3 points 4y ago
[deleted]
solar-cabin [OP] 2 points 4y ago
They do but it is a paid service and this would be free. It is just another way to get help when you need it.
SpikeTheCookie 3 points 4y ago
Great, innovative idea!
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Yes, I spend a lot of time online. Yes, I use email and my phone.
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Love the video/recording feature.
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Yes, I spend a lot of time online. Yes, I use email and my phone.
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Love the video/recording feature.
solar-cabin [OP] 1 points 4y ago
Right on!
I have it working now and just have to get it so you can enter your email contact and I may make a separate panic button module for people that just want that. I will post it here.
I have it working now and just have to get it so you can enter your email contact and I may make a separate panic button module for people that just want that. I will post it here.
vapidvision 2 points 4y ago
Visually impaired millennial
I do not really think of email as an emergency contact platform. I would not market this as a panic or an emergency safeguard option.
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I do use both phone and email for personal and professional communication but cannot think of a circumstance where an "urgent" email would need to be sent by an AI. An products for emergency phone calls to actual emergency services exist (LifeAlert for one). Further, an AI that can turn on a camera is a product I would never let into my house.
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I am generally wary of AI gadgets, but this seems like a product that is for people with significant impairment beyond vision loss: I don't think we are the right target demographic.
I do not really think of email as an emergency contact platform. I would not market this as a panic or an emergency safeguard option.
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I do use both phone and email for personal and professional communication but cannot think of a circumstance where an "urgent" email would need to be sent by an AI. An products for emergency phone calls to actual emergency services exist (LifeAlert for one). Further, an AI that can turn on a camera is a product I would never let into my house.
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I am generally wary of AI gadgets, but this seems like a product that is for people with significant impairment beyond vision loss: I don't think we are the right target demographic.
CloudyBeep 2 points 4y ago
Couldn't have said it better myself. This is a product I would never use and one I would not encourage others to use because people with severe disabilities in addition to vision impairment might have a carer, and people unable to use a phone would probably already have a much better system in place. To me, a "panic button" sounds quite patronizing and condescending.
CloudyBeep 2 points 4y ago
Though I do think this could be really useful for elderly people who acquire vision loss later in life.
That_Dog_Nextdoor 1 points 4y ago
But that's cause they are fragile.
solar-cabin [OP] 1 points 4y ago
Well, it may not be the right system for you but it might be great for other people.
It isn't meant to replace 911 or other services and is just another way to communicate in an emergency if those are not available to you.
It isn't meant to replace 911 or other services and is just another way to communicate in an emergency if those are not available to you.
CloudyBeep 2 points 4y ago
If you can't accept dissent, you shouldn't have asked for our opinions.
solar-cabin [OP] 2 points 4y ago
I appreciate the opinion very much but I also heard people hear say they would like that system available.
I think 911 emergency call should be available on all computers like it is on phones but for now I am trying to make a system that can work.
Thanks for the feedback!
I think 911 emergency call should be available on all computers like it is on phones but for now I am trying to make a system that can work.
Thanks for the feedback!
CloudyBeep 3 points 4y ago
It's good that you have support. Please see my other comment for my personal stance so you can understand why I personally would not use this, but good luck all the same.
vapidvision 1 points 4y ago
Right, but I do not think this is servicing a need within the blind community as a subset of disability community. If your "primary focus is on the blind," I don't see how this product fills a need.
If my computer/phone is available to me to press a panic button, it is available to me to send an email normally (which is to say with the assistance of system and third-party software I use). If this is a literal button that would be worn like a LifeAlert or be beside the keyboard and mouse, that would be a very interesting product.
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Third-party desktop software, Siri, Google Assistant, and Alexa can compose and send emails hands free. What does this product do that other products don't? Is it a home-security system? Maybe I am missing a fundamental aspect of this concept. What types of emergencies do you foresee needing an email where a 9-1-1 would be inappropriate?
If my computer/phone is available to me to press a panic button, it is available to me to send an email normally (which is to say with the assistance of system and third-party software I use). If this is a literal button that would be worn like a LifeAlert or be beside the keyboard and mouse, that would be a very interesting product.
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Third-party desktop software, Siri, Google Assistant, and Alexa can compose and send emails hands free. What does this product do that other products don't? Is it a home-security system? Maybe I am missing a fundamental aspect of this concept. What types of emergencies do you foresee needing an email where a 9-1-1 would be inappropriate?
solar-cabin [OP] 1 points 4y ago
OK, but you don't always have time to compose an email in an emergency and not everyone can afford or has a life alert.
This is just another emergency alert system that will be free and and can contact your neighbors, friends, family, local emergency numbers in the event you need help.
If a person could not speak because of an accident or danger of being heard an email alert would have all the information needed to help that person.
It isn't a replacement for 911 or your phone but those are not always available.
This is just another emergency alert system that will be free and and can contact your neighbors, friends, family, local emergency numbers in the event you need help.
If a person could not speak because of an accident or danger of being heard an email alert would have all the information needed to help that person.
It isn't a replacement for 911 or your phone but those are not always available.
vapidvision 2 points 4y ago
This should not be marketed with the word "emergency" or "panic." It is not an "emergency alert system." Email is not an emergency form of communication. Call it a "predicament notification system." You are creating a device/AI that sends people emails, maybe a video or audio recording.
I get that it is free, but either it is an emergency or you have a situation that requires an email; those circles do not create a venn diagram.
> you don't always have time to compose an email in an emergency
You also don't have time to wait for a response or guarantee the message was delivered and read.
>If a person could not speak because of an accident or danger of being heard an email alert would have all the information needed to help that person.
So in this situation, the person can get to a button to press it but is unable to speak or would be in danger if they spoke but calling 9-1-1 is not their best option?
I get that it is free, but either it is an emergency or you have a situation that requires an email; those circles do not create a venn diagram.
> you don't always have time to compose an email in an emergency
You also don't have time to wait for a response or guarantee the message was delivered and read.
>If a person could not speak because of an accident or danger of being heard an email alert would have all the information needed to help that person.
So in this situation, the person can get to a button to press it but is unable to speak or would be in danger if they spoke but calling 9-1-1 is not their best option?
girlonwheelz13 2 points 4y ago
I love that idea so much!!! I spend a lot of time on my phone and computer
solar-cabin [OP] 1 points 4y ago
I think most of us do these days and could also be useful to students, teachers and people working in offices online.
I am working out the details now.
I am working out the details now.
[deleted] 1 points 4y ago
[removed]
slong0102 2 points 4y ago
Love the idea but I'm not clear on how it works. Is the idea that this would be installed on a phone that you have with you at all times? It's the having access to it when you need it that I'm trying to figure out.
solar-cabin [OP] 1 points 4y ago
No, it uses your existing email. You just make an email on your account that would be directed to who ever you want it to go to and the info you want to to send and then leave it unsent in your draft box.
When you push the panic button on the virtual assistant that email pops up and you hit send and it goes out to notify people of an emergency.
When you push the panic button on the virtual assistant that email pops up and you hit send and it goes out to notify people of an emergency.
That_Dog_Nextdoor 1 points 4y ago
Doesn't samsung already have an alarm mode that like sends picture text and i assume location to designated contacts?
solar-cabin [OP] 1 points 4y ago
I think they have something like that?
The problem is their apps only work on their devices as far as I know.
I am trying to make a system that is generic and can be used from any computer.
The problem is their apps only work on their devices as far as I know.
I am trying to make a system that is generic and can be used from any computer.
That_Dog_Nextdoor 1 points 4y ago
But what are you more likely to carry around? Have on you. Even in any part of your house.
Your phone. Or your computer?
It isn't even an app. It's a base feature.
Your phone. Or your computer?
It isn't even an app. It's a base feature.
solar-cabin [OP] 1 points 4y ago
Talking on a phone may not always be possible and many people spend lots of their time on their computers.
This isn't a replacement for 911 and just an option if that is not available.
This isn't a replacement for 911 and just an option if that is not available.
That_Dog_Nextdoor 1 points 4y ago
Not 911 the emergeny button function on phones. That text contacts. Most people. Even when behind the computer have their phone in their pocket or on their desk also. With them.
[deleted] 1 points 4y ago
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