[nfbwatlk] FW: [Wcb-l] AFB project on cell phone accessibility

[Carl Jarvis]

Doug,
Below is my reply to Tara.
Carl Jarvis
Hi Tara,

My name is Carl Jarvis.  I am a cell phone user.  I'm totally blind and some 
would consider me to be a Senior Citizen, or, "really, really old", as my 
grand
children are fond of saying.

I am using a Nokia Trac Phone.  It is an older model.  It does not fold up, 
take pictures, send text messages or fry eggs.

But it does all that I bought it to do.  Make and receive telephone calls. 
And it's simple to operate.  When I make an error, which does happen with 
these
small button key pads, I merely clear it and start again.  I can't keep 
address books or do any of the on-screen features that other phones are 
equipped
to do.  But I don't want to play games, send text messages take pictures, or 
listen to my favorite tunes.  I use it as...are you ready for this?...I use
it for a telephone!

Yup.  I know.  I'm still living in a cave.

But Tara, here is my great fear.  When this cell phone gives up the ghost, 
will anyone be making a simple cell phone for us simple-minded folk who just
want to make simple phone calls?

Recently my wife(sighted) purchased two new Trac phones.  Cute as little 
bugs ears.  The key pad was so tight and flat that I had a hard time 
touching only
the numbers that I wanted.  Within minutes I had wiped everything off the 
screen.  No more ring.  No prompts.  Nothing's.  And absolutely no way to 
clear
it and return to the original settings...without being able to see the 
screen.

I returned to my old, antique set.  Now I carry it in a water proof, crash 
proof bag.  And I don't let anyone touch it.  I figure I'll maybe make it to
100.  That means this little fella has to hang in for another 18 years.

Does this help you at all?

Good success.

Carl Jarvis, Director

Peninsula Rehabilitation Services

carjar at olypen.com

phone: 360-765-4239

address: 2510 Snow Creek Road; Quilcene, WA 98376