Using the Telephone and Telephone Adaptations If You are Blind or Have Low Vision

Throughout your life, you've probably used the telephone without thinking about it very much. If you've experienced recent vision loss, this pleasurable activity can become problematic.

Common telephone problems for adults who are blind or have low vision can include:

• Getting disconnected because you require more than 10 seconds to dial the next digit of a telephone number
• Dialing an incorrect number

If you have low vision, you may find it helpful to place a flexible-arm or gooseneck lamp near the telephone to help you see the numbers more clearly. You can learn more about lighting at Home Modifications [1] on this web site.

There are many simple, low-cost solutions that can help you continue to use the telephone with ease and comfort. By using the following tips, techniques, and suggestions, you'll likely be using your telephone again -- with confidence and accuracy -- within a very short period of time.

Learning to Dial by Touch

Telephones, calculators, and numeric computer keypads use the same arrangement of numbers. You can practice locating the numbers on the telephone keypad without actually dialing by either (a) not lifting the receiver or (b) not pushing the "phone" button on a cordless telephone.

• Become familiar with your keypad and begin practicing "touch dialing" by using the index, middle, and ring fingers of your free hand (the hand not holding the telephone) to explore the keypad.
• The keypad has four rows, with three buttons across each row.
• Begin practicing by using the "home row" orientation: Use the second row, or numbers 4, 5, and 6 for orientation, placing your middle finger on number 5.
  
• Place your index finger on number 4, middle finger on number 5, and ring finger on number 6.
• Reach your index finger up to the first row for number 1 and down to the third row for number 7.
• Reach your middle finger up to the first row for number 2 and down to the third row for number 8.
• Reach your middle finger further down to the fourth row for number 0.
• Reach your ring finger up to the first row for number 3 and down to the third row for number 9.
• Always return your fingers to the "home row" position before reaching for the next number.
• Try to think ahead to the next number in the dialing sequence before you begin to move your finger to the next key.
• Ask yourself, "Where am I now on the keypad and where do I want to go?" throughout the dialing sequence.
• To help orient yourself to the telephone keypad, mark number 5 with a Loc-Dot, Spot 'n Line Pen, Hi-Mark Tactile Pen, or other marking material. You can learn more about labeling and marking materials and techniques at Labeling and Marking [2] on this web site.
• It will likely take some time and practice, but eventually you'll be able to dial a telephone number without even thinking about it!
• Please note: In an emergency, you will need to dial "0," at minimum, to summon emergency services and/or police.

The telephone shown here is available from Independent Living Aids, Inc [3]. For additional information on telephones and telephone adaptations, see Sources of Products for Independent Living [4].

Directory Assistance and Operator Assistance Exemptions

If you are blind or have low vision, you are eligible for these programs. Your local telephone service can supply you with the correct forms and information.

• Directory Assistance Exemption: If you cannot read the telephone book, you can request that the operator obtain a telephone number for you. There is no charge for this service if you have filed the correct forms and are certified as "legally blind" by an accepted authority (a medical doctor, eye doctor, or vision rehabilitation professional).
• Operator Assistance: The operator will dial a telephone call for you. There is no charge for this service if you have filed the correct forms and are certified as "legally blind" by an accepted authority (a medical doctor, eye doctor, or vision rehabilitation professional). A separate Operator Assistance permission is required for both local and long distance service.
• Please note: Directory Assistance Exemption is a separate service from Operator Assistance and you must apply separately for each. You must also use each service from your home telephone, or you will be charged a fee.

What telephone technology is available to help me?

Speed Dialing

• This service is available from your local telephone company for a nominal monthly fee.
• To use speed dialing, you must pre-program frequently called numbers that you pair with short speed dialing codes, such as the “star” key and an assigned number, such as 1 or 2. No special telephone equipment is required for this service.
• To help you remember who or what number you assigned to various speed-dialing codes, it's helpful to make a chart or list in a form that you can use, such as large print, braille, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), or cassette tape. 
• You can also make a duplicate regular or large print version so that your family members or friends can access your numbers if needed.
• Learn more about these options at Reading and Writing [5] on this web site.

Voice-Activated Telephones

• A voice-activated telephone allows you to dial a number by speaking the name of a person (whose number has been pre-programmed) into the telephone.
• When you speak the person's name, the number is dialed for you automatically.
• In the beginning, you will have to "teach" your voice-activated phone to recognize your voice, which may take some time.

Auto-Dial or Programmable Telephones

• Auto-dial telephones allow you to program up to 50 telephone numbers by using either the regular keypad or an additional set of buttons.
• When you lift the handset, the auto-dialer scrolls through your list of contacts until you hear the name you want to call. The auto-dialer will automatically dial the number for you.
• Some auto-dial telephones allow you to place identifying material under the programmed dialing button, such as a photograph or a name in large print, that can act as a "memory jogger."

For more information about voice-activated, auto-dial, or programmable telephones and telephone adaptations, see Sources of Products for Independent Living [4]. Telephone technology is always evolving, so it’s a good idea to always ask about new items entering the market.

Cell Phones

Read our discussion of cell phones [6] for people who are blind or have low vision.

Adapted and Specialty Telephones

There are several different types of telephones, accessories, and adaptations that can be helpful if you are blind or have low vision. For more information about any of the following products, see Sources of Products for Independent Living [4]:

• Large Print Telephones:"Big Button" telephones [3] have large black numbers on a white background, or large white numbers on a black background.  [3]
• Amplified Large Print Telephones [7]: Increase volume 20+ decibels. Some models increase volume up to 40+ decibels. Both models have bright visual ring flashers and an adjustable volume ringer.  [7]
• Amplified Talking Telephones with Braille [8]: Have 10 programmable buttons (also with braille) for frequently dialed numbers and three emergency buttons. Increase volume up to 37+ decibels and announce each number as it is dialed.  [8]
• Voice Activated Phone Dialers: Connect to any phone and enable voice-activated dialing. Recall and dial up to 60 names and phone numbers.
• Talking Caller ID [9]: Has voice announce, call waiting, volume control, and audio review of the last 10 calls. Also has a digital readout. [9]
• Large Print Telephone Push Button Number Stickers [10]: Have 3/4" by 3/4" bold black numbers on a white background. They are also available in white numbers on black, black numbers on yellow, and yellow numbers on black. [10]
• Please note: Whenever possible, try to select your own telephone instead of asking a family member or friend to select it for you.
• Also, telephone technology changes frequently, and a specific telephone may change or be updated at any time.

Keeping Telephone Numbers and Recording Messages

There are a number of ways to keep telephone numbers and record messages, depending upon which reading and writing method you're most comfortable with. See Reading and Writing [5] to learn more about a variety of helpful methods, including handwriting [11], braille [12], large print [13], and cassettes, CDs, and iPods [14].

Whatever method you choose, it's a good idea to store your writing materials next to the phone and keep emergency numbers separate (such as doctors, police, and hospitals) so that you can access them quickly.

Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs)

• You can use a PDA to store names, addresses, email, telephone numbers, keep track of appointments, and keep notes.
• You can also use PDAs for word processing and web browsing.
• Any data you enter into your PDA can be downloaded to your main computer.
• Learn more about what PDAs can do to help you keep a phone contact list [15].

Computer Software for Addresses and Telephone Numbers

You can use accessibility features of commercial programs such as Microsoft Office's Outlook, a program that has a calendar, address book with telephone numbers, reminders, and email. You can set options such as size of font, color, sound, and keyboard shortcuts to the Outlook tasks you perform most often. Read about Outlook's accessibility features [16].

Newer computers have built-in accessibility features that may help you use any software more easily, including the calendar software you prefer. For Apple Computer users, here is where to learn more about Apple computer's built-in accessibility tools [17]. For computers running various versions of Windows software, read about Microsoft product accessibility features [18].

Additional Resources for Telephones and Adaptations

• If you would like additional instruction in telephone dialing techniques, contact a Vision Rehabilitation Therapist. See Vision Rehabilitation Services [19] on this web site for more information.
• Find Vision Rehabilitation Services [20]
• Home Modifications [1]
• Sources of Products for Independent Living [4]