[nfb-talk] FW: MobileSpeak CallBack List- Launch Notification
Wm. Ritchhart
william.ritchhart at sbcglobal.net
Thu Dec 27 10:19:55 CST 2007
It might be possible to use a phone with smaller keys. That was not the
issue I encountered. The keys are larger on all three models I examined
yesterday. The problem I had was that I could not see where one key
ended and the next key started on two of the models. I was also unable
to locate the five key on the key pad. I cannot speak for anybody but
myself. But I use the five key as an orientation point. So without it
or some other way to identify where I am on the key pad, I have a
problem.
My questions for you are, do you use your N73 for anything besides
making and receiving phone calls? Do you use any adaptive software to
make your phone accessible?
William
-----Original Message-----
From: nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org]
On Behalf Of tribble
Sent: Thursday, December 27, 2007 8:33 AM
To: NFB Talk Mailing List
Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] FW: MobileSpeak CallBack List- Launch
Notification
I have one suggestion -- try one of the newer phones, even with the
smaller
keys -- I have been using an N73 for some time now -- its keypad is
small,
but I got used to it the first few days and now it is easy to use.
I think speech is the important thing to focus on for blind use -- we
can't
put too much pressure for additional perks on a phone that would give
the
companies the feeling we are totally unflexible.
As for large keys, that is nice if you have low vision that you use to
read
the keypad. I personally have never seen well enough to look at a
keypad
while I dial, so it isn't an issue with me. But there is a phone with
large
keys that is made for senior citizens with failing vision -- in fact I
bought one for my mother. You could check whether that one supports
mobilespeak. I don't remember the model number.
Good luck whatever you choose.
Back to my experience, I went the expensive route and bought my phone
unlocked from Nokia so I could switch companies if I wanted. You might
consider this. I already had mobilespeak which I paid full price for a
while
back. Once you pay this upfront cost your future charges are minimal,
and
even if your provider doesn't provide tech support, there are mailing
lists
that are much more helpful.
One thing I do recommend, and I think I mentioned this before but maybe
not
here -- is that you don't buy equipment insurance as there is no way to
cash
it in -- I went through that with my 6620. The insurance only covers
cheaper phones. I told them since I was blind I needed a certain model.
They
agreed that I could get some reimbursement, but I had to jump through so
many hoops that in the end I told them to forget it and I went and
bought a
new phone. What were the hoops? I had to let them buy me the phone and
send
it to me. Since I was extremely dependent on my phone and we were going
on a
trip on which I needed the phone, I couldn't wait.
I understand their requirements, it's just that the insurance is not
prepared for dealing with special needs cases.
So be careful with your phone and don't get insurance.
My $.02 -- which would have been a good price...*smile*
Happy new year.
--le
----- Original Message -----
From: "Kirk Harmon" <kvh54 at cfl.rr.com>
To: "NFB Talk Mailing List" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, December 27, 2007 7:37 AM
Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] FW: MobileSpeak CallBack List- Launch
Notification
William, this is Exactly what I was telling you about my experience.When
my
Nokea 6620 was giving me problems and they informed me that they had
none
left in stock to help assist me with, I knew then that i was in trouble!
I
really liked it but they couldn't provide me any replacements . When I
tried
to shop around at that time, their were no other phones that had the key
pad
that had the keys large enough or spaced like the Nokea 6620. I am
currently
using a verizon Moto razor, it is semi-functional for blind users but it
is
not anything that is designed for the blind Community. I can't for the
life
of me understand why these cell phone companies can't see the market for
this. Hell, their is more than 3 million of us that need to have
comfortable
communication skills out their. Why then, I ask, can't they see the
need
nor the profit for them as well? Kirk
----- Original Message -----
From: "Wm. Ritchhart" <william.ritchhart at sbcglobal.net>
To: "'NFB Talk Mailing List'" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, December 26, 2007 10:18 PM
Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] FW: MobileSpeak CallBack List- Launch
Notification
> Kirk,
>
> I saw three of the cell phone models in the offering this evening. I
am
> deeply disappointed. The Pantech and N75 key pads require you to have
> really super sensitive fingers to distinguish the keys. The keypads
are
> nearly flat and although I have no sensitivity issues in my figures, I
> could not distinguish the keys.
>
> The Blackjack has keys that an average blind person can feel. However
> they are so many and so close together that you can get lost very
> easily. I attempted to dial our local Newsline number. It's an easy
> number and I promptly got lost.
>
> The five key on the phones I examined was impossible for me to locate
on
> the Pantech and N75. It was barely identifiable on the Blackjack.
>
> As a blind person, I am extremely disappointed that AT&T launched it's
> Mobile Speaks program with these phones. I am aware that AT&T has
done
> user research at the ACB conventions during the past few years. It
> looks like they ignored all input from the blind participants of their
> research. We AT&T employees are encouraged to recommend AT&T products
> to people whenever possible. I personally do not believe that I can,
in
> good conscience, recommend any of these phones to any blind consumer
> and live up to the AT&T mission statement.
>
> I am real concerned, on a personal level. My Talks card has been dead
> for months, eliminating my ability to do anything except make and
> receive calls. My Nokia 6620 is showing serious signs of dying and
none
> of these phones I have examined will be accessible to me. If AT&T
does
> not come out with a truly accessible phone soon, I will either have to
> drop my service or switch to a competitor. Neither option appeals to
> me.
>
> William
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org]
> On Behalf Of Kirk Harmon
> Sent: Thursday, December 20, 2007 10:02 PM
> To: NFB Talk Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] FW: MobileSpeak CallBack List- Launch
> Notification
>
> William, I can appreciate that! their everywhere! LOL! In any event, I
> was
> talking to the disability service office for AT&T this afternoon
about
> the
> new phones and equipment. It is pretty darn neat to say the least. If
> You
> write me on my personal E-mail, I would like to talk with you a minute
> about
> AT&T and our blind community. My E-mail address is as follows:
> kvh54 at cfl.rr.com... I look forward to hearing from you have a good
> evening,
> Kirk.
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Wm. Ritchhart" <william.ritchhart at sbcglobal.net>
> To: "'NFB Talk Mailing List'" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Thursday, December 20, 2007 6:24 PM
> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] FW: MobileSpeak CallBack List- Launch
> Notification
>
>
>> Kirk,
>>
>> I don't have a good answer. I work there and have encountered really
>> good and knowledgeable and really ignorant personal when it comes to
> the
>> Talks and 6620. The program with CodeFactory is real new. I do know
>> that all the employees in the NCCD had training. Unfortunately that
>> training was back in the 2nd and early 3rd quarter. So many will
have
>> forgotten whatever they learned.
>>
>> Start with the NCCD. Your best chance to get a good answer will come
>> from there.
>>
>>
>> William
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org]
>> On Behalf Of Kirk Harmon
>> Sent: Thursday, December 20, 2007 8:25 AM
>> To: NFB Talk Mailing List
>> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] FW: MobileSpeak CallBack List- Launch
>> Notification
>>
>> they use this software for the Nokeia 6600 series. I had one with
>> Cingular
>> not to long ago and whenever I had any questions about it, they never
>> had
>> anyone that knew anything about it! I Loved the phone, but did not
> enjoy
>> the
>> lack of support they offered for it. Have they been able to change
>> this
>> problem? Kirk
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Wm. Ritchhart" <william.ritchhart at sbcglobal.net>
>> To: <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>; <nfbcs at nfbnet.org>;
>> <nfb-indiana at yahoogroups.com>; <nfb-indy at yahoogroups.com>
>> Sent: Wednesday, December 19, 2007 1:49 PM
>> Subject: [nfb-talk] FW: MobileSpeak CallBack List- Launch
Notification
>>
>>
>>> Sorry about the duplicates for those of you on multiple lists. For
>> any
>>> who may be in search of a new cell phone. Here is what AT&T is
>> offering
>>> it's blind customers. I hope to discover how good or bad the phones
>> are
>>> this afternoon. I have heard good things about the Mobile Speaks.
>>>
>>> I work for AT&t. So I can answer some questions. More importantly,
> I
>>> can open a referral for any person who would be interested. You can
>>> also call the number below. Contact me off-list if you have any
>>> questions.
>>>
>>> William.
>>>
>>>
>>> Sent: Wednesday, December 19, 2007 7:40 AM
>>> To: william.ritchhart at sbcglobal.net
>>> Subject: FW: MobileSpeak CallBack List- Launch Notification
>>>
>>>
>>> From: NCCD Support (CING)
>>> Sent: Tuesday, December 18, 2007 2:35 PM
>>> Subject: MobileSpeak CallBack List- Launch Notification
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Current and Prospective AT&T Mobility Customers,
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> AT&T Mobility's National Center for Customers with
>>> Disabilities is pleased to announce the official launch of
>> CodeFactory's
>>> MobileSpeak and MobileMagnifier.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> MobileSpeak Versions Available through AT&T Mobility
>>>
>>> MobileSpeak Symbian Version 3.25
>>>
>>> MobileSpeak Smartphone Version 2.0
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Cost:
>>>
>>> MobileSpeak- $89.00 + tax
>>>
>>> MobileMagnifier- $89.00 + tax
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Compatible Devices
>>>
>>> AT&T 3125
>>>
>>> Nokia N75
>>>
>>> Nokia E62
>>>
>>> Pantech Duo810
>>>
>>> Samsung Blackjack
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> To order please contact us at 866-241-6568; if you have MobileSpeak
>>> installed on your device already, please have your MobileSpeak
Serial
>>> Number available.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Best Regards,
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> |Sara Castleberry |at&t Mobility- NCCD | 17000 Cantrell Rd Little
> Rock
>>> AR 72223 |
>>>
>>> |Office:866.241.6568 TTY:866.241.6567 | nccdsupport at cingular.com|
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>
------------------------------------------------------------------------
>> --------
>>
>>
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>>> nfb-talk mailing list
>>> nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-talk
>>>
>>
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