Telephones - What features do disabled people need?
Keypad not in handset.

 

• • • Hearing impairment - moderate.

• • • Hearing impairment - severe.

• • • Limited dexterity.

• • • Limited use of hands/arms.

• • • Weak grip.

• • • Hand tremor.

• • Cognitive impairment.

Images showing telephones with keypads in and not in the handset.

 


Some telephone handsets have keys positioned on the handset. This can cause difficulties for persons with poor manual dexterity or reduced strength. A person having difficulties holding a handset is likely to press keys by mistake.

It is better for the keypad to be positioned on a surface that does not have to be held.

People with impaired hearing will need to adjust the handset position to obtain the clearest speech, especially when an inductive coupler is being used. Having found this position, it is most inconvenient to have to move the handset to re-dial or to respond to automated dial-in instructions.

 

No significant additional cost.

 

 

 

How disabilities affect telephone use

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