Telephone users with disabilities

Telephones - What features do disabled people need?

Difficulty in making precise finger movements will necessitate enlarged keypads with rests, key-guards or delayed activation. Selection of key operating pressure may be critical to the avoidance of muscular spasm. Both audible and displayed key feedback will be necessary to confirm correct actuation and avoidance of unwanted repeats. Speech-input keying may be desirable, but some conditions giving rise to hand tremor also cause hesitancy in speech.

Essential Features
Enlarged keys.	Guarded/recessed keys.
Dial-out buffer memory.	Keypad not in handset.
Key pressure selectable.	Non-slip base.
Key feedback - audible.	Handset - easy grip.
Key feedback - displayed.	Handset - lightweight.
Inserting cards or coins.	Handset - ergonomic shape.
Desirable Features
Speech-input keying.

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