General features to look out for on all phones
This will apply to all phones - whether they are a big button desktop, cordless, or mobile phone. These features will also apply to other telecommunication devices such as answering machines with speech playback (also known as TTS or text to speech) for things such as the time, date etcetera.- Large, well spaced buttons that
are easily identifiable:
(IE not flat or flush). (Reason: buttons that are
too small all run together making it hard to get the
right digit when dialling. Also, not everyone has
little fingers).
- Buttons that make sounds when pressed:This applies to any phone. (Reason: Audible tones let you know you've pressed it hard enough).
- Backlighting:
Useful if the person has some remaining vision
and can identify a black number on a lit yellow
button. (Reason: this may assist with colour
contrasting and lighting).
- Clearly printed numbers: Sometimes black bold numbers on a white background, or the reverse stand out and may be more visible. (Reason: Clear text is always easier to read).
- Memory and speed dial: If storing contacts, these need to be easy to access. (Reason: being able to press #2 is much easier than dialling a string of numbers).
- Voice dialling: If available, this replaces the need to press #2 (or whatever you have as a preprogrammed number). (Reason: Ease of use). Please be aware however that the voice needs to be clear in order for this to go through. Sometimes using the speed dial may be safer. Some mobiles have voice dialling and will also read out the number being dialled.
- Size: Phone size, screen size and button size all need to be comfortable for the person using it. (Reason: Eyesight levels and hand sizes vary for the individual).
- Speakerphone:
This can be helpful when wanting to be hands
free. (Reason: may also assist if hard of hearing)
- Tactile buttons: Makes it easier to line up the numbers for dialling. (Reason: ease of use).
- Volume: A phone with a louder ringer will be easier to locate in a hurry.
- Speech:
If available, phones may tell the time and day at
a press of a button, or answering machines may
announce 2 new messages, or end of messages and so on.
Accessible desktop and cordless phones
The following phones are some that I have tested and found to be accessible:
DORO 311C PhoneEasy desktop phone Large white numbers on black background, well spaced / easily identifiable buttons, 13 number memory, and adjustable volume on base.
Telemate FX 9600M desktop phone Large black numbers on white background, well spaced / easily identifiable buttons, 13 number memory, and adjustable ringer volume.
The phones that follow below, are available on the market and advertised as accessible:
Special notes for mobile phones
- If you are using a mobile phone and cannot see the text (such as your incoming texts) you may need a phone with a screen reader and/or magnification. You may need to purchase a mobile phone that is compatible with a particular screen reader/magnifier. Sometimes the software will come with your phone (for example: Iphone), and sometimes you may need to download it.
- Use key lock and a phone cover for when your phone is not in use. This will not only protect your phone, but also avoid any unneccessary dialling that you are not aware of should it get bumped.
- Shop around for mobile phone carriers and their plans. Decide whether you prefer a plan or prepay.
Accessible
mobile
phones
Times have changed
in the last few years with features in mobile phones. At one
time our phones were tactile and we had to pay extra to have a
screen reader put onto our mobile phones. This was on top of
the price of the phone and when you look back now seems fairly
limited compared to what we have now. If you still remember
them, they were certain Nokia phones that could run Talks or
Mobile speak on it.
Nowadays, if you
were to get another phone, a lot of them have touch screens.
Today we have more
of a choice with mobile phones and they are getting smarter
all the time. You can also add extra functionality to them (by
installing apps onto the phone) that can help you in everyday
life.
Apple
I
phone
The Apple I phone
would be the most accessible mobile phone out there for the
visually impaired or blind. It has an inbuilt screen reader
called Voiceover and it just needs to be turned on. To turn on
Voiceover you will need to go to the settings section of your
phone then locate the accessibility section. Under that
section will be where Voiceover can be turned on. Everything
on an I phone is labelled, however this might not be the case
for third party apps that you can download from I tunes. A
good website to help you choose apps that might help you is http://www.applevis.com
On Apple I phones
(if the battery ever dies) you cannot replace the battery. You
can also not add extra storage to your I phone either (like
you can with Android phones).
Most things need to
be done through the I tunes software (for example putting
music onto the I phone).
Android
phones
A cheaper
alternative to the I phone/s are phones that are coming out
with Android on them. They come out in all different sizes and
pretty much all of them will let you expand storage to your
phone with a micro SD card. Depending upon the models will
depend if you can replace the battery or not. If you are going
to get one of these phones try and get them with stock
standard Android on them. Google has brought out their own
phones called Google Pixle. The names might change but these
are Google branded phones. The Nexus range also runs stock
standard Android on them as well. There are other sellers out
there that sell phones with Android on them and in most cases
they will have TalkBack already installed onto the phone. It
just needs to be turned on under the settings… then
accessibility section. If there is no TalkBack screen reader
installed it can be downloaded from the Google play website at
https://play.google.com/store?utm_source=apac_med&utm_medium=hasem&utm_content=Feb2317&utm_campaign=Evergreen&pcampaignid=MKT-DR-apac-nz-1003227-med-hasem-py-Evergreen-Feb2317-Text_Search_BKWS-BKWS%7cONSEM_kwid_43700012154551741_creativeid_113398043945_device_c&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIpoaEloXn1QIVTwYqCh0bXQCwEAAYASAAEgIIoPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CNzqxZ-F59UCFQQ5lgodI5gItA
You can also install
other screen readers that are available from the store.
As with most phones,
Android phones are available in different screen sizes. These
phones are a lot more affordable and if you buy one try and go
for the latest operating system. Some third party apps may
need labelling on the phone, however TalkBack has a graphics
labeller and in most cases (if graphics are unlabelled) they
can be labelled withTalkBack.
Windows
phones
A latecomer to the
mobile phone market is the Windows phone. At present the only
screen reader available on these type of phones is the
Narrator screen reader. You cannot install any other screen
readers onto these phones at present. There will be different
phones brought out by other companies that run Windows.
Microsoft has brought out their own range of phones (such as
the Microsoft Lumia 950).
To
turn
on Narrator
Turn on Narrator by
doing one of the following on your phone:
• In the App list,
tap Settings… Settings Icon … Ease of access, and
then turn on Narrator (Toggle On Icon).
• If Narrator quick
launch is turned on, press and hold the Volume Up button, and
then press the Start button. (If Narrator quick launch is
turned off, this button combo won't turn on Narrator. This is
to prevent Narrator from being turned on accidentally).
You will also need
to check if the phone can be expanded with extra storage with
an SD card and if the battery can be changed. This may vary
from model to model. Your apps will be downloaded from the
store. This will depend on which operating system you went
with (for example an Apple phone will get them from the apple
store, Android will get them from the Google play store and
Windows from the Windows store).
Gestures for
mobile phones
All of the above
mentioned phones are touch screen phones; so depending upon
which one you get, it would be a good idea to download a copy
of the gestures for that operating system to practise with. They will have a
qwerty keyboard that you touch. You can also buy a bluetooth
keyboard to pair with it if you want to.
Recommendations
from others
It would be a good
idea to ask other visually impaired or blind friends which
phone they bought and why. This might help you to make up your
mind on which direction you go when buying a phone. It might
even be a good idea to go into a mobile phone retailer and ask
them about the specs of the phone and if you are able to have
a play with the phone with the screen reader or magnification
turned on. Also, check out what other features might be under
the accessibility section on those phones.
Please
note
If you want to use
the KNFB reader on your phone you will need an 8 megapixel
camera. The KNFB reader (after you have taken a picture of the
document or menu etcetera) will then read out the contents of
the document. If you also decide to use a navigation app you
will need GPS built into the phone. Apart from what is noted,
the rest of your apps may not have any other special
requirements to meet.
Links to popular mobile phone carriers in New Zealand:
Vodafone New ZealandCompare which Vodafone plan may suit you best
Spark New Zealand
Compare which Spark plan may suit you best
2 Degrees Mobile New Zealand
Compare which 2 Degrees plan may suit you best
Accessible mobile phones
Doro Easy Mobile Phone:
Large print on easy to see tactile buttons. Many features. Great for the elderly as well as those with some useful vision.
http://www.doro.co.nz/Our-products/Mobile-phones-and-accessories/410S-GSM/