[gui-talk] Fwd: Information of Interest To Blind Cell Phone Users

[Steve Pattison]

From:
mailto:Vipcomm at mchsi.com Parker at Vip conduit
To:
mailto:accessibleDevices at googlegroups.com Accessible Devices
We believe you'll find the following information from American Foundation For The Blind interesting.  This is all the information we currently have.
The following message is from American Foundation for the Blind.  I am sending it
out today because it might be of interest to some blind and low vision
cell phone users.
If, like me, you are frustrated that cell phones seem to be designed
with more features and less accessibility, then I hope you will read on and take
action. The American Foundation for the Blind(AFB) has tried to be an effective
information source as well as an advocate on cell phone accessibility and we believe
the time is right for action on this issue.
Section 255 of the Communications Act requires telecommunications
service providers and manufacturers to ensure their products and
services are accessible to people with disabilities, if readily
achievable. AFB, through our technology Web magazine AccessWorld, has
published extensively on cell phone accessibility, especially on  specific phones
and features. Generally, there are very few phones with meaningful
access features. Cingular, now AT&T stands out for providing phones with screen reading
software that provides access to all phone features.  AT&T just
announced a new agreement to add additional phones with screen reader and magnification.
Why aren't more companies bringing accessible cell phones to market?
Two reasons: First, unfortunately, relatively few people with vision loss
have actually filed complaints on cell phone accessibility. This leads
the industry to believe that we are happy with the minimal access now
available. Second, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) handles
Section 255 complaints, and it has not been very responsive when complaints have
been filed.
What can we do? First, be very clear when you communicate with your
cell phone service provider that you expect an accessible phone. This
means a phone that provides features like comprehensive audio output of
information on the screen, displays that can be adjusted to make them
more readable with limited vision and keys and controls that are
identifiable by touch. While we're at it, we should make clear once and
for all that while using voice commands may be desired by some people,
the industry should stop assuming that blind people need to use voice input
to control our phones. And, we should be clear in asking for manuals and phone bills
in accessible formats (with descriptions of images and graphics).
 At this past ACB convention, AFB announced "255action." Among other
 things, we've established an email that consumers can use to tell us
 about their cell phone access concerns. It is <
mailto:255action at afb.net 255action at afb.net
 . We
 are also putting additional material about cell phones and
 accessibility on our Web site
http://www.afb.org www.afb.org
 , including an explanation
 of how to use the FCC's complaint form. Over the past several months we
 have spoken with many consumers with vision loss and we have worked
 with approximately 20 consumers who have provided us with detailed
 accessibility problems that are being shaped into complaints to be
 filed with the FCC.  I expect that we will file these complaints in the
 next few weeks. When they are filed, we will publicize the effort to
 ensure that the companies and the FCC take them seriously. And, now
 would be a great time for you to file complaints on cell phone accessibility too.
 In addition, on July 17, AFB sent a letter to the leading cell phone
 carriers and manufacturers indicating that consumers are frustrated
 with the lack of accessibility and asking for specific info on what
 these companies are doing about accessibility. The service providers we
 contacted were: AT&T Mobility, Verizon Wireless, Sprint Nextel,  T-Mobile, US Cellular,
Alltel; and the manufacturers were: Nokia, Motorola, Samsung, Sony
Ericsson, LG Electronics, Sanyo, Pantech and HTC Global Services. I sent a fairly
specific attachment with the  letter explaining accessibility expectations
for individuals with  vision loss. I asked for the companies to respond with info
by August  31. We'll add any information we get to our Web site.
Finally, I have also blogged about these issues and would welcome your
comments there <
http://www.afb.org/blog www.afb.org/blog
 .
 Paul W. Schroeder
 Vice President, Programs and Policy
 American Foundation for the Blind
820 First Street, N.E., Suite 400
Washington, DC 20002
 Phone: 202-408-8172
 E-mail:
mailto:pws at afb.net pws at afb.net
 Web:
http://www.afb.org/gov.asp http://www.afb.org/gov.asp
Regards Steve
Email:  srp at internode.on.net
Skype:  steve1963
MSN Messenger:  internetuser383 at hotmail.com