Now Blind people can do Text Messages

billy the squid

I have a relative who is totally blind and she just got a talking mobile. To get it though it is very expensive you have to buy the phone and then shell out €200 for the software.

The software called "Talks" has to be installed onto the mobile phone. Because of the amount of memory required by the talking software only some phones can take it. The phone i seen it being used on is the Nokia 3660 phone.

The national Council for the Blind on Whitworth Road in Dublin would be able to provide you with more information on this phone. I just wanted to let other visually impaired users who read these forums know about this new phone as I have found that not many know that these are availible.

There is a grant run by the health boards which provides disabled people with equipment to assist them in their lives. You might be able to apply for the phone under this scheme or get them to defray the high cost of the phone.

Amz

Cheers for that fcddunne!

billy the squid

Your welcome Amz

From what I gather NCBI have some sort of deal with Vodafone where you get the phone at a discounted price.

The person who showed me the phone she got said that when she went into Vodafone store to buy they didnt have it and rsaid it wouldnt be worth their while ordering it. so she went to O2 store in the same shopping centre and they were intrigued with the idea, so much so that they asked her to go back into the store and show it working with the talking software to the manager

Amz

Excellent, O2 seem far more dedicated to customer service than Vodafone.

Do you mind me asking which shopping centre this was?

I've been exploring options myself as regards a phone with large text but unfortunately with that usually comes a rather bulky phone which isn't really practical. The best one I found with large font is the Nokia 6310/6310i which is bigger than my current 3310.

I'm hoping to get in contact with a number of phone companies to explore areas whereby all their latest technologies can be accessible to and utilised by all.

billy the squid

The shopping Centre in question was the Crescent Shopping Centre in Limerick. from what I gather there was a right ould battleaxe behind the counter in the Vodafone shop.

Most of the newer phones seem to have smaller print.The Main menu on the Nokia 7210 is large print but the sub menu and text message text is tiny. The only good thing I find about the newer phones is the back light behind the screen is brighter.

If you get in contact with the National Council for the Blind they will be able to give you information on the Talks software.and which phones it will work with.

As for the Nokia 3660, this phone was not in either vodafone or O2 store, it is just that the people in the O2 store were willing to get up off their but and go to the trouble of ordering it fer her.

I also should mention that in order to get the phone she had to go bill pay. the phone will be more expensive on "speakeasy" or "Ready to Go."

Now that vodafone and O2 are familiar with the talks software the only hurdle is to get Meteor involved. That way people with a visual impairment would have the same choice of network as fully sighted people.

Amz

That's excellent, thanks again for all your info

Might have a natter with NCBI after my exams and suss out the situation.

billy the squid

I just found out the name of that grant offered by the healthboard. It is called the Technical Aids Grant

Might give your local NCBI Community officer a call and ask for info on that too

billy the squid

Amz did you call NCBI and how did you get on

Amz

I haven't called 'em yet no.

It's on my to-do list for next week, when my exams are finished.

I'll keep ya posted

billy the squid

am going to be there on the 1st june to hand over the dosh for my relative so i might see ya