1. Phones for low vision and blind seniors
Amy Mason & Clara Van Gerven
National Federation of the Blind, Jernigan Institute
National Federation of the Blind
9/19/2018

2. What to look for (aka FAQ)?
Most of the users who call us are looking for some combination of the following features:
Carrier that works for the area
Easy to use
Speech
High contrast
Tactile buttons
Emergency contact
Voice dialing
National Federation of the Blind
9/19/2018

3. Speech vs. no speech
In this presentation we have chosen to focus on the talking phones, as these offer the best accessibility for all blind and many low vision users. There are a number of easy-to-use, high contrast, tactile button feature phones which those with minor vision loss may find useful:
Snapfon
Emporia
Doro phones
Bierley big button phone
National Federation of the Blind
9/19/2018

4. Kyocera Kona Sprint, Virgin Mobile, Cricket Speech in most areas
Flip phone
Medium high contrast display
Marked nr. 5, otherwise fairly flat keys
Speed dial
Voice dialing
National Federation of the Blind
9/19/2018

5. Convoy 3 Verizon Speech Marked nr. 5, otherwise fairly flat keys
Contacts programmed with speech
Voice dialing
National Federation of the Blind
9/19/2018

6. Odin VI Odin Mobile (T-Mobile) Very simple use
Speech in all areas, but missing key announcements
High contrast display
Very tactile buttons
Contacts programmed with speech
No voice dialing
National Federation of the Blind
9/19/2018

7. Samsung Gusto 2 Verizon ICE button Voice dialing VERY limited speech
Text message read out
Caller ID read out
NO menu readout whatsoever
National Federation of the Blind
9/19/2018

8. Mobile Accessibility
Simplified access to Android and Windows Mobile 8 phones
$99 on Android, free on Windows
Touchscreen interface
National Federation of the Blind
9/19/2018

9. Other Android Nexus 4 from Odin Mobile Uses built-in Talkback
Custom suite of apps
Linked from home screen, but still require install
National Federation of the Blind
9/19/2018

10. iPhone Widely available and promoted
Good solution for tech- friendly users
Good, persistent accessibility
User-friendly
Not suitable for call & text message only users
Complex
Expensive
National Federation of the Blind
9/19/2018

11. Further information Convoy 3:
good-convoy-3
Odin VI:
Kona:
feature-phone
National Federation of the Blind
9/19/2018

12. Contact information
Clara Van Gerven
Amy Mason
x2410
200 E. Wells Place, Baltimore, MD
x2424
200 E. Wells Place, Baltimore, MD
National Federation of the Blind
9/19/2018