The customer service representative with whom I spoke knew exactly what I was looking for when I asked her about a feature phone for someone who was blind, and recommended the Samsung Gusto III. I then placed a call to Verizon's accessibility number (88) and received prompt and courteous service. The list of phones included the LG Cosmos 3, LG Revere 2 / 3, LG Exalt / 2, LG Terra, LG Extravert, LG Extravert 2, Samsung Gusto 2, Samsung Gusto III, Kyocera Dura XV, and the Samsung Convoy 3 / 4. By using the table navigation commands in Jaws 18-the screen reader I used for my research-I heard the words "heavy checkmark" spoken as I came across a feature that was available in Verizon's list of feature phones.
VERIZON CANDYBAR PHONES FULL
By finding the features I was looking for-which included voice-activated dialing, caller ID with speech, one-touch speed dial, voice command, phone status with speech, readable command, ringtones, adjustable large font, text message readout (incoming), text message readout (incoming / outgoing), limited menu readout, full menu readout, qwerty keyboard, and digit dial-I was able to then move across the columns in order to see which phones had the features I wanted. I found that Verizon addresses this question in a way that only one other provider did, but in a way that was unique to Verizon.īy following a link labeled "accessibility device features and apps," I was able to locate a table with 14 features down the left side, and ten phones across the columns to the right of the features. But what about someone who specifically has visual impairment? Is it possible to easily find an easy-to-use phone, known as a feature phone, that addresses the needs of someone who has low vision, or no vision at all? Regardless of whether you have a visual impairment, a hearing impairment, or have any other disabilities, Verizon claims to have you covered. This general statement is something I would find on all of the cell phone provider sites I visited. Upon arriving at Verizon's accessibility page, I learned that they are committed to meeting the needs of everyone who has a disability. I went to Verizon's home page, and found an accessibility link on the site. Since my cell phone provider is Verizon, I started there. Although some might choose to visit a brick-and-mortar store in order to put their hands on the phone they are considering, others would logically start by visiting the Web. Perhaps an older person who is beginning to lose their vision might have a son or daughter to help them locate an easy-to-use phone-one that requires only a minimal data plan, has talking menus and readouts, and possibly a large font that makes the display easier to see. In doing research for this article, I tried to take an approach that I thought the average person might take. Easier-to Use Cell Phone Options for People with Visual Impairments from Verizon Since phone offerings change regularly, a phone mentioned in this article might not be available by the time you try to purchase it, and three more excellent choices may have taken its place. Rather, we will discuss guidelines that you can consider when looking for a basic feature phone that might meet your needs. We will not go into detail about specific phones in this article, although plenty of links will be provided should you wish to examine the specifications of a particular phone in more detail.
Is it possible for a person to still find a phone that has basic features, doesn't cost an arm and a leg, and is relatively easy to use? In this article, we will take a look at five providers-Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, and GreatCall-to see what offerings they provide for someone with a visual impairment, and does not want to leap head-first into the world of smartphone technology. For anyone with a visual impairment, the need to work with low-vision settings or a screen reader that is built into the device only adds more complexity to the situation. Not everyone is comfortable with typing on a smooth sheet of glass, updating apps, and installing the newest version of an operating system. Not everyone wants to pay for a data plan that will allow them to watch Netflix, run a business, and shop, all from their phone.
With the increased power that cell phones now possess comes an increase in both complexity and cost.
And besides, who wanted to be tethered to a phone 24/7, anyway? It is now possible to surf the Web, track your daily exercise goals, read the newspaper, and listen to music all from one device, and many people are willing to pay for the privilege of doing so. Cell phones, when they could be found in the wild, were big, bulky affairs whose cost was more than most people were willing to justify. Most everyone reading this issue of AccessWorld can think back to a time when the majority of phone calls were placed from a stationary location-your home, office, a hotel room, or even a pay phone.
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