Telephone users with disabilities - Visual Impairment

Telephones - What features do disabled people need?

Image of woman using telephone keyboard.

Visual impairment makes it difficult to read displays and markings, especially in low light conditions.

Liquid crystal displays can be very difficult to read and visual prompts such as on payphones may be unreadable.

Essential Features
Visual contrast key legends.	High contrast display.
Standard key layouts.	Large character display.
Enlarged keys.	Key feedback - audible.
Desirable Features
Tactile key markers.	Synthetic speech display.
Plug-in keyboard.	Plug-in display.

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