Choosing a Cell Phone for Accessibility
Choosing a Cell Phone for Accessibility
Cell phone technology and systems are constantly changing. Listed below are some general tips on selecting a phone to meet your needs. We suggest you research different options before entering a cell phone store.
Your first decision is to determine if you want a phone to just make calls or if you need a phone with more advanced features like texting, GPS, OCR or web browsing.
BUILT-IN ACCESSIBILITY
If your choice is a phone that just makes calls, there are several off-the-shelf options with varying degrees of built-in accessibility. The Apple iPhone or LG models are your best bet for phones with built-in accessibility.
Apple iPhone
The iPhone is the most accessible off-the- -shelf cell phone. It uses the Apple VoiceOver screen reader or Apple Zoom feature to provide full accessibility to all the phone's features. The iPhone offers some of the most advanced features available on phones today like GPS, OCR, web browsing, email and texting. Check with your cell phone provider to see if they carry the iPhone.
Jitterbug
Jitterbug offers two models of accessible phones. One model has only three buttons—one for 911, one for the operator and one programmable to call a family member or friend. Jitterbug's other model is more like a standard cell phone with extra large buttons and a large display. Jitterbug is a cell phone service provider with plans starting around $10 a month.
FULL ACCESSIBILITY WITH ADDITIONAL SOFTWARE
If you are looking for access to more advanced features than those offered with most built-in accessible models, you may want to choose a smart phone with software programs to make it accessible.
Some software programs to choose from include Mobile Speak, TALKS and Oratio. These are screen reading programs much like those you would use on a PC, but for cell phones. Mobile Speak and Talks work on many of the leading smart phones while Oratio is designed specifically for BlackBerry phones. AT&T offers Mobile Speaks with smart phones. Verizon also offers deals on phones with TALKS software preinstalled with special pricing for people with vision loss. You will want to contact each cell phone carrier to discuss what options are available at the time you plan to purchase your phone.
Resources to check before purchasing a new cell phone:
Accessible Phones
www.accessiblephones.com
AFB
www.afb.org/accessworld
www.afb.org/cellphones
Apple iPhone
www.apple.com/accessbility/iphone/vision.html
AT&T Wireless
National Center for Customers with Disabilities
866-241-6568
www.wireless.att.com/learn/articles-resources/disability-resources/disability-resources.jsp
Code Factory (Mobile Speak)
www.codefactory.es
HumanWare (Oratio)
www.humanware.com/en-international/support/oratio_%C2_%AE_for_blackberry_smartphones
Jitterbug (Great Call)
1-800-918-8543
www.greatcall.com
Nuance TALKS
http://www.nuance.com/talks
Sprint/Nextel
888-253-1315
www.nextel.com/en/about/community/accessibility.shtml
T-Mobile
800-937-8997
www.t-mobile.com
US Cellular
888-944-9400
www.uscc.com/uscellular/SilverStream/Pages/uscellular.html
Verizon
800-256-4646
Customer Care
800-922-0204
www.aboutus.vzw.com/accessibility/index
