Cell phones usage

Posted by Kentucky on 3/25/2010 at 1:24 PM

How do blind persons access/use mobile phones for texting? I am researching for a show that has a blind character. Can anyone help?

There are currently 18 replies

Re:Cell phones usage

There are a number of cell phones that make it possible for persons who are blind to send and receive text messages. Some cell phones can have a software loaded that adds speech (this will read what is on the screen, including what typed into the phone). A number of the LG phones have speech built in, it is not perfect, but you can send and receive text messages with some practice.

The new iphone 3G, larger size one, has a pretty great screen reader built in for accessibility. This phone is pretty amazing accessibility wise. As the iphone is a touch screen, this is pretty neat.

So, basically these phones have the ability to audibly read what is on the screen or what is entered.

It is quite great that phones coming right off the shelf have these types of capabilities. About time!

Sincerely,
Joe S.
AFB Staff

Re:Cell phones usage

he's right. Like the Envy3 from Verizon. I am gonna get one myself because I am sick of my friends thinking that I am ignoring them when I can't really reply to hem.

Re:Cell phones usage

Be prepared that Envy3 is not totally accessible, but it is igetting better. I have the Envy2 and I have tried the 3. It will just take practice and memorization. Be patient. I actually don't use the QWERTY key board on it too often. There is another phone that runs off the same memus system from LG through Verizon. It is more of general flip phone. The buttons are more tactual too. I don't know if you have any vision or not, but I suggest the other one. I have had the Envy and Envy, tried Envy 3. They didn't change too much, except the outside menu button is much better. You can go right or left now. The QWERTY keyboard has speech too, but it is small and not too practical. It would be hard to label it because the phone closes. I know one person without any vision who uses the QWERTY keyboard on it.

Just something to think about when getting your phone Kansas.

LG has done great though!

Joe S.

Re:Cell phones usage

I have the LG EnV Touch
Its a great phone.
My texts come in large enough print so I can read it and if not, it has a screen reader option which is very helpful :)
Good luck :)

Re:Cell phones usage

well thanks Joe. I like that you call me Kansas.

Re:Cell phones usage

No problem! It really is the settings area that is inaccessible in the LGs. Once you get them set up, it is only certain features like sent box, alarm, most settings sections, and such. But, overall, it is great, off the shelf with some set up. The touch is pretty neat, not quite the iphone, but much cheaper.

This all great for us, we all hope they keep it coming. I think we can look for some great modifications since the iphone stepped up the bar.

Later on,
Joe S.

Re:Cell phones usage

I like compairing phones to see whitch will best soot our needs.

Re:Cell phones usage

Hey guys,
I have the EnV3 and I like it. It is probably the most accessible phone I have ever had. THough I like the accessibility on the screen and keyboard readers, I dont like the fact that other people can hear my text messages or what others send to me. Overall, I do like the phone. It reads menus, the keys you press, and the voice commants are also pretty accessible (and you dont have to yell to get it to recognize the command)
I also have an Itouch-which is very similar to the iPhone. I like it because it has voice over, a screen reader which is gesture based so you have to double tap everything because it wants to make sure you "Like" the choice.
Hope this helps.
Rebecca

Re:Cell phones usage

Rebecca is right on. The Envy3 is the most accessible phon that you can get off the shelf, besides the Iphone. She made great points about how it works. It also has low vision features built in as well, they are not perfect though. I like the screen reader version. It is a lot of gestures and taps to utilize it.
The Env3 and two are great about their voice commands. Rebecca, you can have it read your texts through the ear piece part vs. speaker (believe this is true. I do it on the version 2). I wouldn't want people to hear my texts. BUT, getting it to do so takes memorizing two steps where there is no speech. I totally understand, I had to figure that out. I think you could utilize a blue tooth ear piece too, that would allow you not to have the texts read out loud as well. But overall, they need to fix certain layers or settings and options.
They are on the right track. Let's hope they keep working on it. AFB works with a number of these companies to improve their products. You can see articles about things like this in AccessWorld on AFB.org for free. It is a free online magazine.

Have a great night!

Joe S.

Re:Cell phones usage

** agrees

Re:Cell phones usage

i agree tht its annoying how sighted ppl cn here my cell. U guys wer talking about like nv touch nd all these verizion phones. They dnt read internet. Atnt uses mobile speak. I hav it nd its awesome!!!!! It reads everything including internet. I tried the eyephone it was horible. Ile just stic with keyboard phones from mobile speak. My e71x is awesome it even records stuff. However u need to know tht it doesnt support gmail so u cnt gt ur email sent to ur cel cause the e71x only suports express mail. Sights like facebook cn send ur stuff by txt msg. The samsung jac does support gmail i used to hav a jac. I like the e71x because its gt a better keyboard. Nd it has better internet nd it doesnt freeze.

Re:Cell phones usage

okay. What's your name?

Re:Cell phones usage

megan

Re:Cell phones usage

Hi all. Kevin here. On the subject on cellphones I have the HTC ozone from verizon. I love the phone it has talks for windows mobile and runns windows mobile 6 I think. I am having a problem with it though I can't seem to sink my contacts to microsoft office outlook 2007. I have it set up with active sink but the contacts won't show up and when I go to sink it says PC:atinsion required and I go to hit resolve all issues but still know luck any help will be greatly needed. Thanks Kevin Roberts

Re:Cell phones usage

I don't have a talking cell phone.

Take a look at the Android Phones

The "Eyes Free" group are doing great things to make the Android phones accessible. However, their work will remain valid only as long as vendors use physical controls on the devices rather than the virtual touch pads and keyboards that are appearing on newer devices. Devices like the LG Ally should be quite accessible with a bit of practice by the user.

Note also that Verizon has the Samsung Haven which appears to be quite accessible. It is a phone especially designed for the elderly and has features aimed at their needs.

Re:Cell phones usage

Thanks for all of the info guys! I am looking for a phone for my father-in-law and had no idea. I really appreciate this site as it has helped my entire family coping with this new tragedy.
dera
http://www.angieslist.com/

Re: Cell phones usage

Awesome.