Karen's milkshake problem (being denied a milkshake at a drive-in) has me wondering about a possible solution that came to mind today.
One problem with a push-button solution or another technological solution is that it would still deny deaf people the ability to interact with the fast food service providers. How about a solution using technology we already have? Our sidekicks (or other cell phones) and AOL instant messager. Every restaurant in a chain could be assigned a special AIM screen name by the chain's headquarters. For example, Karen's Steak N' Shake could be SteakNShake_Bolingbroke on AIM.
When a deaf customer drove up to the speaker, the deaf customer could use their sidekick to send an AIM message to the restaurant's AIM screen name. That screen name would be prominently displayed on the speaker itself. The deaf customer and fast food service worker would be able to talk to each other via the AIM conversation, with no misunderstandings. Conversation over, drive up to the window to get the food. It might take a bit longer than it takes a hearing person to order through the speaker, but it would enable interactivity and avoid problems like Karen's.
I can see it now:
I am driving home from work. I crave chicken mcnuggets. There is a McDonald's across the street from my development. As I pull into the McDonald's, I stop at the speaker and quickly AIM that McD's.
Me: I wanna bag of chicken mcnuggets!
McD's: How large an order?
Me: As big as you can make it!
McD's: I'm sorry, you will have to say small, medium, or large.
Me: Ok, make it a large!
McD's: Will there be anything else?
Me: Sweet n' sour sauce! And hurry up, I'm hungry!
McD's: Ok, ok! We aim to please. Come on up and pick up your order!
Friday, January 25, 2008
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6 comments:
The problem with this solution is that you didn't really need the Chicken McNuggets. Be thankful that you cannot order as easy as the welfare population and who weigh 40 to 50 pounds more than they need to.
Count your blessings. Go home and munch your celery and carrot sticks.
I would prefer captions on drive-thrus or simply accommodating us by allowing us to drive up to the pay window like Karen did. What if your SK gets stolen (like mine was) or your battery dies? People don't always have a working Sidekick with them. I've been without my SK since Christmas. :-(
If your house is across the street from the McD's, why not just walk over there?
The exercise would be good.
Hmm, it's a possible solution except not everyone uses messenging or text services. Elderly people make up a large population of people (and I imagine a few of them like milkshakes too!) and they may not use electronic devices.
Jay,
I wrote that I was imagining myself driving home from work. Tired, hungry, don't feel like going home, parking the car, and then walking down the road to go across the street. Just want to pick up a quick snack at the local McD's.
Lantana,
Sometimes a person just craves good ol' junk food, ya know?
Kw,
I was trying to think of a solution that would allow interactivity with the servers, yet take the speaker machine out of the equation. The problem with driving up to the pay window is that don't the places need a bit of time to prepare the order? Even if you go up to the window and order there, doesn't that mean a longer wait for anyone behind you in line?
If you don't have a SK, I guess there would be no choice but to park the car and go inside.
Karen,
Good point about the senior citizens.
I blogged about it too in my weekly gratitude post. My gratitude went to Karen Putz for having the courage to stand up and be counted in the face of withering criticism and pressure. Her story both inspired and pressed some deeply hidden buttons that I didn’t know existed!
Thanks for helping a fellow blogger spread the news - she’s my buddy too!
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