SMS and Disabilities

UK Debut for 'Blind' Mobile - Nov 21 2003

A Spanish company called Owasys has developed a cell phone designed for blind and partially sighted people, but it should also appeal to anyone who is looking for a cell phone to simply make and receive phone calls and who is put off by screen-based technology.

"A number of people just want a simple device that's easy to use and friendly," according to RNIB technology specialist, Steve Tyler, interviewed by the BBC

"It has no visual display at all but uses a speech synthesiser to read everything that would normally appear on the screen. As well as giving audio feedback from button presses, the 22C can send and receive text messages and will speak the name or number of incoming callers.

Texting Survey for the Deaf - Oct 1 2003

Deaf mobile phone users in Waltham Forest UK are being urged to come forward and take part in research on texting, according to the Walthan Forest Guardian.

"Participants will be able to air their views on the different ways of texting, other options such as SMS, fax, email and internet chatrooms, what they think of services provided and how they could be improved.

The research has been commissioned by BT, Orange, O2, Vodafone, Oftel, DIEL and the Telecommunications Action Group, which is an organisation that aims to ensure deaf, deafened, hard-of-hearing and deaf/blind people can access the telephone network as easily and at the same cost as hearing people".

Special SMS Tariff for the Deaf - July 23 2003

Wireless Indian operator Airtell has launched a special mobile tariff plan aimed at the deaf and hearing impaired. The special rates will allow for free SMS, specially reduced rental rates, and a no holding deposit policy, reports Cellular News.

This is truly the segment of the population that needs text messaging the most and several countries offer text-messaging services for them, such as emergency officer assistance (The UK's West Midlands Police) automobile assistance (Touring Secours in Belgium), or fire alerts (Fire Department of Amsterdam).

But the only other country besides India which offers special rates for the deaf and hearing impaired is French operator Orange with it's ¥Motamo' plan.