Virgin America began selling tickets today for flights on the carriers initial routes. Inaugural flights are scheduled for 8/8 in the JFKSFO, and LAXSFO markets. The carrier will expand to serve LAS and will also serve JFKLAX.
VX, the airlines two letter code, seeks to be hip, and high tech. The carrier will offer an extensive audio and video in flight entertainment system (IFE). The system will exceed the capabilities of typical cable set top boxes, and will have capabilities such as passenger chat, being able to save music play lists for future flights, games, etc.
If the user interface for this IFE system is only provided through a visual screen, the system may be difficult to impossible for people who are blind or otherwise print impaired to use. Conversely, if the system had a voice screen reader, to guide users through menus with voice prompts, it would be accessible to the blind. I have not heard either way whether VX has installed a screen reader type interface for its menus, but I would bet they have not. I tried to contact the company by email in January of this year with information about universal design and accessibility, but I never heard back from the firm.
People interested in accesibility may want to contact Virgin America through its web site. In addition, individuals may contact The US Department Of Transportation. VX still must obtain certain regulatory permits in order to fly.
I have to say that the bblind community, and those organizations that represent us, have not been doing a very good job regarding advocacy in the airline and technology sectors. The blind have not been able to even get the DOT to require that airlines install accessible kiosks. Accessible kiosks are not a pipe dream, they are a reality in many public transportation systems such as Atlanta, Boston, and Washington DC among others. The user typically presses a button, and the kiosk speaks menus and prompts via audio. Our advocates have also let the cable and satalite industries trample over the civil rights of the blind. Set top boxes typically do not have screen readers or other accessible interfaces.
I will notify the American Council Of The Blind and the National Federation Of The Blind about this new IFE system on VX. However, I am not sure to what extent they have the resources to get involved in this possible cause. I will also speak with the NCAM Project at WGBH. WGBH’s National Center For Accessible Media has a project related to in flight entertainment systems. But I don’t know if its a real project, or just a sort of pie in the sky type grant they got to do research. While I’m sure their research is sound and worthwhile, without additional regulation, I’m not sure the extent to which American corporations, given how altruistic they tend to be, will jump up and implement the universsal design principles which the research will undoubtedly suggest.
In conclusion, it has struck me for a long time as well that the deaf community has its act much more together than the blind community. Maybe the presidents and boards of our blindness organizations should try to see what the deaf are doing right that we are doing wrong. The deaf have extensive accessibility features built in to millions of consumer electronics devices found in the home and beyond.
To close on a more positive note, here is a blog post with details on a tour of a Virgin Ameirca plane:
I will report on the next podcast more of what I am able to find out from VX, WGBH, our advocates, and the DOT.
[tags]Virgin America, blind, civil rights, American Council Of The Blind, National Federation Of The Blind, disability, accessibility, universal design, deaf, airlines, kiosk[/tags]