Telephone users with disabilities

Telephones - What features do disabled people need?

Image of deaf-blind person using keyboard.

People with little or no useful hearing or vision have to rely primarily upon tactile means for all communication. They can use a telephone only if text is used with a Braille display or if an interpreter using manual communication on the hand (tactile finger spelling) is available.

Essential Features
Dial-out buffer memory.	Key feedback - tactile.
Tactile key markers.	Text send - keyboard .
Standard key layouts.	Text display - tactile.
Plug-in keyboard	Text send protocol select.
Tactile Display.	Coupling to computer.
Plug-in display.	Non-slip base.
Desirable Features
Guarded/recessed keys.	Additional earphone.
Enlarged keys.

Disability category links
Hearing impairment - moderate.	Speech impairment - severe.
Hearing impairment - severe.	Limited dexterity.
Deafness.	Limited use of hands/arms.
Visual impairment - moderate.	Weak grip.
Visual impairment - severe.	Hand tremor.
Blindness.	Cognitive impairment.
Deaf-blindness.	Restricted mobility (lower limb).
Speech impairment - moderate.

How disabilities affect telephone use

Users with disabilities - the numbers

User categories and definitions

Telephone Features

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Published by Royal National Institute of the Blind on behalf of PhoneAbility
supported by Department of Trade and Industry and British telecommunications plc