There are a couple of things here. It's almost impossible now for someone who is blind to know what row they're at when they're navigating the aircraft, whether they're coming back from a washroom or trying to find their seat when they board. On the aircraft, they used to have braille and large labelling on the luggage bins at the top that we could feel and know what row we were at. That has been taken away from us. We don't have that access.
Another issue that we run into, especially on the 787 aircraft, is with the entertainment system. The only way you can access a call button is if you press a spot on the screen on the entertainment system. The problem is that the spot moves. It's not always in the same place.
Another issue that we run into with U.S. carriers is that you have to order your food or any drinks you might want—a soft drink or a glass of water or something—through the screen. It's not accessible because it doesn't speak, and they won't accept orders any other way.
There are actual barriers on the aircraft that we face as people who are blind that are not dealt with by other passengers.
Thank you.