For many people the mobile phone is an essential tool for communication however their complexity and design has often made them difficult for blind and partially sighted people to use. A number of factors including the size and shape of buttons and the size of text and icons on their screens compound to make their use difficult or in many cases, impossible.
RNIB produce two factsheets about mobile phones for blind and partially sighted people.
Mobile phone factsheet
This factsheet is written for people who have some useful vision and want a new mobile phone that is easy-to-see and easy-to-use. The phones in this factsheet have been specifically designed to be easy-to-see and easy-to-use and are available from RNIB. The phones range from a simple four button speed dial phone to a stylish clamshell phone with Bluetooth and a radio. RNIB continually search for new easy-to-use mobile phones to give blind and partially sighted people as wide a choice as possible.
Mobile phone software factsheet
This factsheet has details about the software that can be added to some mainstream mobile phones that enlarges the text on screen or reads out screen information and echo button presses. There are details about the Owasys mobile phone which is a purpose built talking phone which has no screen and is operated purely with synthetic speech to read your text messages, browse your contacts and alter menu settings. The factsheet also highlights several GPS software programmes which, combined with the talking software result in a talking portable navigation system.
Downloads
These two factsheets are available to download in word or PDF format. You can view PDF files using a suitable PDF viewer, for instance Adobe Acrobat. You can download Adobe Acrobat Reader software from the Adobe website. Once the software is downloaded and installed, the PDF file will display automatically.
Order print, braille or audio
These factsheets are also available for free in large print, braille or audio. You can order from our Online Shop or by telephoning RNIB on 0303 123 9999.