Technology

Accessible mobile phones - a guide

Summary: Information about mobile phones that are accessible to blind or partially sighted people.

• Easy-to-use mobile phones
• Talking mobile phone
• Accessibility software for mobile phones
• Speech Software
• Magnification software
• Compatible handsets
• Contact details
• Keep up-to-date

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Summer 2008

This guide contains information about accessible mobile phones and software applications for blind and partially sighted people that are available from RNIB and other suppliers.

If you have any further questions, or would like more information about the products highlighted in the guide, contact our dedicated Technology Information and Support Team on 0845 900 0015 or 020 7391 2280, by email ict@rnib.org.uk

Easy-to-use mobile phones

Easy5

The Easy5 is a mobile phone which has been designed to be simple to use and it’s perfect for anyone who finds conventional mobile phones over-complicated or who only want to use the phone for emergencies. The five large number keys can store one number each, so you will never dial a wrong number.

Key features and benefits

• each button can store a different phone number for one-touch dialling. These numbers can be set for you when you order or you can set them yourself by inserting the SIM card in to a standard mobile and editing the first 5 contacts
• voice calls only
• easy-to-use volume control and built-in hands free speaker phone
• ten polyphonic ring tones and a vibrate alert
• standby time of up to 100 hours and talk time of up to 180 minutes
• Easy5 comes in a choice of dark red (HM06R) or black (HM06K)
• supplied with a neck strap, ear piece and mains charger and a Pay as you talk SIM and Top up card. This mobile phone is not tied to any network and you can change to any network at any time.

Easy5 mobile phone (product code HM06R or HM06K)

priced at £79.99 inc VAT

EasyUse

This mobile phone is designed just to make and receive telephone calls. It has large, raised blue, red and green buttons that contrast with the silver case. The combination of bright, well spaced buttons and simple operation makes this phone one of the easiest mobile phones to use on the market.

Key features and benefits

• large blue number keypad with white numbers 6mm (0.24 inches) high
• high contrast black screen with white numbers
• voice calls only
• underneath the screen are four speed dial buttons for easy access to your four main contacts; friends, family or emergency call numbers
• easy-to-use volume control and built-in hands free speaker phone
• standby time of up to 160 hours and talk time of up to 150 minutes
• supplied with a mains charger, hands free earpiece and a Pay as you talk SIM and Top up card. This mobile phone is not tied to any network and you can change to any network at any time
• optional extras: spare mains charger (product code HM08C)
• also available in lilac (product code HM08LILAC) and soon it will also be available in pink (product code HM08PINK)

EasyUse mobile phone (product code HM08)

priced at £85.10 ex VAT, £99.99 inc VAT

Emporia Life big button mobile phone

The Emporia Life mobile phone is a palm sized, black coloured mobile phone that slides apart to reveal a large number keypad. The large screen has an orange backlight and black text that can be read in direct sunlight.

Key features and benefits

• 28 point font (6mm) white numbers on black keys, large operating buttons and bright LED indicators. The phone has standard operating phone functions, and can make and take voice calls and text messages
• emergency call feature allows you to store up to five numbers for use in an emergency that will be called, in order, by holding the single emergency call button on the back
• other features include a small LED torch, alarm clock, simple calendar, birthday reminder and a calculator
• standby time of up to 200 hours and talk time up to 180 minutes
• supplied with a Pay as you go SIM and Top up card. This mobile phone is not tied to any network and you can change to any network at any time
• optional extras: desk docking unit (HM07D), in car charger (HM07CAR), spare mains charger (HM07C), spare rechargeable battery (HM07Y), horizontal black leather case (HM07EHK), vertical black leather case (HM07EVK), ladies purse style black leather case (HM07ELK), ladies purse style red leather case (HM07ELR).

Emporia Life big button mobile phone (product code HM07)

priced at £131.91 ex VAT, £154.99 inc VAT, was previously £144.67 ex VAT, £169.99 inc VAT.

Emporia Life plus

The Emporia Life plus features a sliding mechanism that hides the number keypad when it is not in use, helping to keep it small but still have large number buttons. It is thinner and lighter than the original Emporia Life and is now a stylish silver colour.

Key features and benefits

• easy access hands free call button
• emergency call feature allows you to store up to five numbers for use in an emergency that will be called, in order, by holding the single emergency call button
• standby time of up to 250 hours and talk time up to 180 minutes
• optional extras: horizontal black leather case (HM07EHK), vertical black leather case (HM07EVK), ladies purse style black leather case (HM07ELK), ladies purse style red leather case (HM07ELR).

Emporia Life plus mobile phone (product code HM11)

priced at £144.67 ex VAT, £169.99 inc VAT

Big Easy 2

This mobile phone is larger than an average phone to accommodate its large buttons and easy-to-see screen. Every button is at least 1cm square and are all back lit to make the text easier to see. The phone has a silver coloured face and the black rubberised case that is easier to hold.

Key features and benefits

• 32 point font (8mm) number keys with a white backlight to increase contrast and make them easier to see
• display shows 56 point font (14mm) when typing a telephone number
• write and read text messages in 24 point font (6mm)
• three dedicated speed dial buttons
• standby time of up to 120 hours and talk time of up to 300 minutes
• supplied with a mains chargers and a Pay as you go SIM and Top up card. This mobile phone is not tied to any network and you can change to any network at any time

Big Easy 2 mobile phone (product code HM10)

priced at £199.00 ex VAT, £233.83 inc VAT

Talking mobile phone

Owasys 22C

The Owasys 22C is a talking mobile phone designed specifically for blind and partially sighted people. All the functions are spoken using a synthetic female voice built into the phone, so there is no additional software to load. It has no visual display, and has well spaced easy to find and tactile buttons.

Key features and benefits

• make calls, find and edit contacts information in your phonebook, access call lists and caller identification, read and edit text messages, check signal coverage and battery level.
• easy to use with a dedicated key to access the phonebook, a hands-free mode and an information mode which announces your position within the phone’s menu system.
• store up to 250 contacts with fields for name, address, home phone, mobile phone, office phone and email address.
• write and send text messages and read received messages.
• tactile, well-spaced keys.
• choice of 56 ring tones and vibrating alarm option.
• battery life of up to eight hours talk time, up to 200 hours stand by time and three hours charging time.
• supplied with a Pay as you talk SIM and Top up card. The mobile phone is not tied to any network and you can change to any network at any time.
• Optional extras: headphones (product code HM02H), replacement battery (product code HM02Y) Spare charger (product code HM02C) Leather case (product code HM02E)
  

Owasys 22c mobile phone (product code HM02X)

priced at £299.00 (ex VAT), £351.33 (inc VAT).

Owasys Try before you buy

RNIB has a Try Before You Buy scheme which allows you to loan an Owasys 22C for a period of two weeks. The loan is free of charge and there is no obligation to buy. There are a limited number of handsets available and we will send you your trial phone as quickly as possible. To register for a try before you buy with the Owasys phone please contact Helen Simpson on 01733 37 5144 or email Helen.simpson@rnib.org.uk

Accessibility software for mobile phones

Many new mobile phones use one of two operating systems, Symbian and Windows Mobile, that can be adapted with software to make them accessible to blind and partially sighted users. These mobile phones are complicated and often do not feature tactile buttons which can make them difficult to use even with the software. We recommend that you handle a phone before you buy it to ensure the buttons are suitable.

Speech Software

Nuance TALKS™ Premium edition

TALKS™ Premium is a screen reader for mobile phones, which runs on Symbian-based mobile phones. It converts the contents of the display into speech, allowing you to access call lists, create entries in your contacts, read and write text messages and emails, change profiles and even browse the internet.

Key features and benefits

• easy to learn with simple keystrokes, allowing you to get the most out of your phone handset
• simple keystrokes to hear caller ID, time and date, network and battery information, signal strength and other phone status indicators
• simple keystrokes to adjust the speed and volume, verbosity options, as well as a training mode to let you familiarise yourself with the phone’s keys and their functions
• the Premium Edition provides support for braille displays via a Bluetooth (wireless) connection, allowing you to read the screen contents in braille, and control many of the phone’s functions from the braille keyboard, making it accessible to blind and deafblind users
• choose from the ETI Eloquence voice (familiar to JAWS users), or alternatively from the range of RealSpeak voices for a more natural-sounding human voice
• read by line or word and spell individual words at a slower rate when reading or writing text messages, emails and notes
• numbers longer than four digits can be read as single digits, pairs or whole numbers
• series 60 phone only - support for other applications such as IM+ (Instant Messenger) and Loadstone and Wayfinder GPS
• five bonus applications including Mini ‘GPS’ World Clock Pro, Extended Profiles, Extended Recorder and Multimedia Player
• TALKS™ runs alongside Zooms™ screen magnification software for low vision users to provide full magnification and speech access

Nuance TALKS™ Premium edition (product code HM03)

priced at £150.00 ex VAT, £176.25 inc VAT

Available either alone or pre-installed on a handset on a contract or Pay As You Go tariff from RNIB distributor Communic8.

RNIB distributors Computer Room Services and Neil Barnfarther can provide the software as a stand-alone product. There may be a handling charge for the software installation.

Wayfinder Access GPS software with TALKS™

Wayfinder Access offers full GPS navigation capabilities on a mobile phone. Based on the leading Wayfinder Navigator program, it has been designed to be fully accessible with TALKS™ software.

Key features and benefits

• either navigate to a specific postcode or select from your list of favourites
• alternatively browse the directory of over 20 million points of interest, including hotels, banks, restaurants, theatres, bars, shops, nightlife, hospitals and much more. Points of interest (POIs) are given in order of proximity, so you can search for your nearest hotel or restaurant
• the online travel planning tool MyWayfinder.com allows Wayfinder Access users to plan trips online, calculate routes and distances and create Favourites (landmarks) that are sent to the mobile phone
• developed with the help of blind and partially sighted users to ensure the best functionality and accessibility, Wayfinder Access provides all the benefits of the award-winning Wayfinder Navigator program, as well as some new features specifically designed for blind and partially sighted users, including:

- the vicinity view enables you to know what you have around you, including your nearest favorites, points of interest (POIs) and crossings, and in what direction they are. The information is listed in order of proximity, so the restaurant or crossing closest to you appears at the top of the list

- the “where am I” function tells you what street you are on with a simple key combination, useful for exploring new places

• Wayfinder Access supports 15 European languages, and Wayfinder Navigator subscriptions include unlimited updates of TeleAtlas maps. Wayfinder and TeleAtlas provide full or partial map coverage in the following countries: Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Germany, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Slovakia, Czech Republic, France, Italy, Poland, Hungary, Spain, Portugal, UK, Ireland, Canada and USA

System requirements

• Wayfinder Access requires TALKS version 3.1
• runs on any Symbian S60 version 2 and version 3 handset. Please consult the list of compatible handsets at the end of this factsheet
• requires a Bluetooth GPS receiver
• requires data subscription (GPRS, EDGE or 3G/UMTS) from your mobile operator/wireless carrier

Price: £270.00 ex VAT, £317.25 inc VAT. Available from Computer Room Services

Smart Hal for Smart phones and PDAs

Smart Hal is the latest screen reader for mobile phones and works on a large number of Windows Mobile 5 and 6 Smartphones, giving you access to some of the latest and stylish handsets on the market. If you have access to the internet, the Dolphin website maintains a list of all the handsets that support Smart Hal including technical specifications.

Key benefits and features

• Smart Hal is future proof as your license covers you the user, and not just a single handset, so if you change your phone you do not need to buy an additional upgrade license. Smart Hal comes with two lives, so if you accidentally lose, damage or upgrade your phone, you have a spare Smart Hal life ready.
• Smart Hal enables a person with limited or no eyesight to independently and easily make full use of the features and functionality available with the latest handsets. Make calls, check email, or use pre-installed MSN Messenger to stay in touch on the go. Easily Sync information stored on your PC with Smartphone and Active Sync to quickly store contacts, appointments, emails, music and more.
• Windows Mobile Smartphones utilize familiar software, from a Windows platform, to the Internet Explorer web browser, you're familiar with the phone before you even use it.
• Windows Media Player is pre-installed so you can listen to MP3 files, favourite music artists, podcasts, and audiobooks straight from your phone. With many Smartphones sporting standard 2.5 mm headphone jacks, the sound is as big as your headphones.

Price: £175.00 ex VAT, £205.63 inc VAT single user, two lives.

For more information, or to download a 30 day demo, please visit the Smarthal page on the Dolphin website or contact Dolphin.

Telephone: 0845 130 5353. Email: info@dolphinuk.co.uk. Alternatively contact the RNIB Technology Information and Support team on 0845 900 0015 or 020 7391 2280 or email ict@rnib.org.uk

Mobile Speak

Mobile Speak is a screen reader application for use on Symbian series mobile phones. It is easy to use and reliable, allowing you to take advantage of most of the functionality of modern handsets.

Mobile Speak allows you to make calls, write and read text messages and emails, browse the internet, view the lists of dialled, received and missed calls, and manage your contacts lists, add and view appointments in your calendar and alter the phone’s settings. There are three verbosity options available depending on how much information you wish to be spoken. Mobile Speak supports most major European languages as well as Chinese and Arabic, and is available with a choice of speech synthesizers.

Price: £125.00 ex VAT, £146.86 inc VAT including installation, available from Rammland.

Mobile Accessibility

Mobile Accessibility is a screen-reader software package which makes mobile phones accessible to blind and partially sighted users. It makes use of its own menu structure, and is designed to make the use of the phone a lot easier. It has two levels of speech to suit both new and advanced users, keyboard shortcuts to provide quick and direct access to the most frequently used applications, configurable keyboard echo which can be set to announce words, characters or both, and three adjustable punctuation levels.

It also has configurable speech settings for speed, pitch and volume.

Mobile Accessibility includes additional software including calculator, Sound recorder and Explorer to manage your folders and files, as well as two audio profiles, one of which enhances the sound when a pair of earphones are used.

Price: £125.00 ex VAT, £146.86 inc VAT including installation, available from Rammland.

Vodafone speaking phones

Vodafone sells three mobile phones which have speech software pre-installed and are available as part of a monthly contract package. Currently they offer a Nokia 6680, Nokia 9300 or the Nokia N70. Prices vary depending on your choice of airtime contract. For more information please contact Vodafone on 0800 101112.

Magnification software

Nuance ZOOMS™

ZOOMS™ is an easy-to-use magnification software package for low vision users. Using ZOOMS™, the mobile handset display can be magnified up to 16 times its original size. The display can be switched into black and white or grey scale for easier viewing, and text can be set to scroll automatically across the screen.

Key features and benefits

• ability to keep all-important areas of the display in view with the distributed views mode, or keep focus on what you are writing with the full screen mode
• improve the legibility of text and graphics by inverting colours or reduce to black & white or greyscale
• simple keystrokes to alter the magnification levels, switch between full screen and distributed views, and magnify network, battery level, signal strength and other phone status indicators
• set the delay for automatic scrolling text and the scrolling speed

Price: £125.00 ex VAT, £146.86 inc VAT

Available either alone or pre-installed on a handset on a contract or Pay As You Go tariff from RNIB distributor Communic8.

RNIB distributors Computer Room Services and Neil Barnfarther can provide the software as a stand alone product. There may be a handling charge for the software installation.

Mobile Magnifier

Mobile Magnifier provides the opportunity for low vision mobile users to access their handset more easily. Mobile Magnifier automatically detects and magnifies the area of interest as you navigate through the user interface of your mobile handset. There are a range of high contrast colour schemes for those who find particular colour combinations beneficial whilst reading. Several Hot Keys provide access to the most common features of the magnifier. Different areas of display can be zoomed.

Price: £90.00 ex VAT, £105.75 inc VAT including installation, available from Rammland.

Compatible handsets

The software mentioned in this factsheet can be installed on many, but not all, Symbian based mobile phones. The latest version of Talks and Zooms software is compatible with the Symbian 9.1 operating system, and many of the Nokia series 60 third generation phones which became available last year.

The following list of compatible handsets is correct at the time of writing, but may be subject to change. It is not definitive, and some models may be more readily available than others. As the mobile phone market is constantly evolving we recommend you contact the RNIB Technology Information and Support Team or your current mobile supplier for up to date information on existing and new models before purchasing the software.

Compatible handsets for TALKS™ and ZOOMS™

Nokia 3230, 3250, 3600, 3620, 3650, 3660, 5500, 5700, 6110 Navigator, 6120C, 6121C, 6260, 6290, 6600, 6620, 6630, 6670, 6680, 6681, 6682, 7610, 7650, 9210 / 9210i, 9290, 9300, 9500, E50, E51, E60, E61, E61i, E62, E65, E70, N70, N71, N72, N73, N75, N76, N80, N81/ N81 8GB, N82, N90, N91, N95 / N95 8GB, N-Gage, N-Gage QD

Samsung SGH-D720, SGH-D730 and Siemens SX1

If you have access to the internet, the Nuance website maintains a list of all the handsets that support TALKS and ZOOMS including technical specifications.

Compatible phones for Smart Hal

The following Mobile Smartphones can be made to talk using Dolphin Smart Hal.  The range of compatible phones is constantly changing as new models become available and this list should be treated as a guide only and is not definitive. If you require more detailed information about specific models or wish to verify technical specifications we recommend contacting the mobile phone manufacturer or supplier directly.

If you have access to the internet, the Dolphin website maintains a list of all the handsets that support Smart Hal including technical specifications or telephone 0845 130 5353 or 01905 754 577.

Useful links

Information about the

• Symbian operating system
• Compatible handsets with Smart Hal software
• O2 UK
• Orange
• Vodafone
• T-Mobile
• Loadstone free GPS
• Wayfinder GPS

Contact details

RNIB Technology Information and Support Team
Telephone: 0845 900 0015
Email: ict@rnib.org.uk

RNIB Customer Services
PO Box 173
Peterborough
PE2 6WS
Telephone: 0845 702 3153
Email: cservices@rnib.org.uk

Communic8
TALKS™ Premium Edition and ZOOMS™ with a new mobile phone.
Telephone: 08701 60 06 00
Email: info@comm8.com

Computer Room Services
TALKS™ upgrades from Standard to Premium Edition and ZOOMS™ and Wayfinder Access
Telephone: 01438 74 22 86
Mobile: 07956 33 49 38
Fax: 01438 75 95 89
Email: steve@comproom.co.uk

TalkNav
TALKS™ and ZOOMS™ and TalkNav GPS
Telephone: 08703 517 532
Email: info@talknav.com

Rammland
Mobile Speak, Mobile Accessibility and Mobile Magnifier
Telephone: 07801 73 47 22
Email: enquiries@rammland.net

RNIB Helpline
If you or someone you know has a sight problem you can contact the RNIB Helpline, Monday to Friday 9.00am-5.00pm:
Telephone: 08457 66 9999 (local rate calls) or 020 7388 2525
Email: Helpline@rnib.org.uk

The Helpline can:

• provide you with information, advice, free leaflets and factsheets
• put you in touch with specialist advice services
• give you details of support groups and services in your area.

Keep up-to-date

Technology news

For the latest in computer hardware and software, mobile phones, Daisy players, keyboards, braille displays and much more, contact our Technology information and support team on 0845 900 0015 or 020 7391 2280 or subscribe to our email newsletter at technews@rnib.org.uk

Education and learning

Subscribe to our email newsletter to get up-to-date information about our educational products and services at education@rnib.org.uk

New product guide

This free bi-monthly publication is packed with information on accessible products from RNIB relevant to your everyday life. It also features details of any special offers or discounts, information about popular products and other news and events that may be of interest. Available bi-monthly in braille, audio, by email, on disk and online. Contact Customer Services on 0845 702 3153 or 01733 37 53 50.

New books

A monthly listing of newly available RNIB titles for loan or sale for adults. Listings are divided into reading formats; braille, audio and Talking Book (newly recorded digital titles only). Within each section the titles are split between fiction and non-fiction, and then divided again into subject areas. Available monthly in braille, audio, by email and online. Contact Customer Services on 0845 702 3153 or 01733 37 53 50.

Revised: July 2008

Content author: cservices@rnib.org.uk

Last updated: 25/07/2008 15:22