[gui-talk] Talking Cash Registers

[Gerald Levy]

The only talking cash registers I have seen are the ones installed in my 
local CVS pharmacy.  To be perfectly honest, they are a disaster.  When 
three or more of them are speaking at the same time, it is almost impossible 
for a customer to understand what each one is saying.  And because they are 
self-service, you have to scan each item yourself, which is impossible for 
many blind customers.  I have already complained to CVS avout these "talking 
cash registers, but they don't seem the least bit concerned about their 
blind customers.  Talking cash registers are a bad idea because it 
ultimately leads to the elimination of human checkers, which is a problem 
for blind consumers who may have no other source of assistance in the store. 
When CVS first installed these cash registers, there was someone on hand at 
the check-out counter to offer help to frustrated shoppers who had trouble 
figuring out how to use these newfangled gizmos.  But now that the system 
has been in operation for a few months, there is nobody around to ask for 
help. Just because a cash register talks does not mean that it is a "better" 
solution for blind shoppers.

Gerald


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Steve Cook" <STCook at sccb.sc.gov>
To: "Discussion of the Graphical User Interface, GUI Talk Mailing List" 
<gui-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, May 12, 2011 9:47 AM
Subject: [gui-talk] Talking Cash Registers


> Hi All,
>
> Here in SC we are looking in to purchasing Talking Cash Registers for some 
> of our venders.  What Talking Cash registers are others using and where 
> did you purchase them from?  Thanks in advance for your help!
>
> Steve Cook
> Assistive Technology Consultant
> SC Commission for the Blind
> 1430 Confederate Avenue
> Columbia, SC 29201
> Office: (803) 898-8788
> Fax: (803) 898-8882
> E-Mail: stcook at sccb.sc.gov
>
> "May is Ultraviolet Awareness Month." The South Carolina Commission for 
> the Blind encourages everyone to wear Ultraviolet protective shades when 
> going outside, don't stare directly into the sun and put sunscreen lotion 
> on to protect your skin from the ultraviolet rays."
>
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