Telephones - What features do disabled people need?

Montage photograph of people with disabilities using telephones.

Message from David Edmonds - Director General of telecommunications, Oftel.

The telephone - Easy Communication for all?

How disabilities can affect telephone use.

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.

Telephone features that make a difference.

Features Links
Additional earphone.	Microphone amplification
Coupling to computer.	Non-slip base.
Coupling to hearing aid.	Plug-in keyboard
Dial-out buffer memory.	Plug-in display
Enlarged keys.	Receiver amplification.
Full video facility	Ringer pitch adjustable.
Guarded/recessed keys	Ringer volume adjustable.
Hands-free operation	Speech-input keying
Handset - easy grip	Sidetone reduction
Handset - lightweight	Smart phone - auto adjust
Handset - ergonomic shape	Standard key layouts
Handset - plug connected	Synthetic speech displa y
Handset - noise excluding	Tactile Display
Hearing aid compatability	Tactile key markers
High contrast display	Text send - keyboard
Inserting cards or coins	Text display - tactile
Key feedback - tactile	Text display - visual
Key feedback - audible	Text send protocol select
Key feedback - displayed	VDU text adjustable
Key pressure selectable.	Visual contrast key legends
Keypad not in handset.	Visual line status display.
Large character display	Visual ringing signal

Publications and Links.

About PhoneAbility.

Acknowledgements.

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