Disability News Japan Podcast: The Shog-A.I. Shimbun #4: McDonalds App Fail A Barrier to News Stories!

By Barrier Free Japan

March 18 2024

 Ok, this is a bit of fun, but behind it are two serious points. Firstly, since the term ‘shogai’ or ‘障害’ can mean ‘failure’, ‘obstacle’ as well as ‘disability’, the algorithm Gods of Google won’t quickly show up recent news stories about disability in Japan because everyone is talking about the McDonald’s App ‘fail’ that happened on Friday.

The second serious point is that whilst I love my technology, after all, I’m making a podcast using A.I., but at the same time I don’t like to rely on technology and much rather tell a human server at my local McDonalds my order rather than using an app. It is not always convenient to use a smartphone if you have a physical disability, one’s body might spasm for example, making it difficult to press buttons. Also, since people with disabilities don’t tend to be rich, they may not be able to afford a smartphone, should apps become the default way of getting food from the golden arches that is is McDonalds.

I’m not always lovin’ it.