[blindlaw] A Change of Topic-Cell Phone Access

[Steve Jacobson]

Cathryn,

Like Joe, I am also using an accessible cellphone through Sprint.  Maybe I can shed a little light on a couple of things.

First, the KNFB Reader phone is as expensive as it is mostly because of the KNFB reader software rather than the phone.  However the total price has come down 
to around $1,500.  Of this, $995 is for the software that converts print into spoken text.  That is about the same price as the K-1000 software that performs that 
function on a personal computer.  Speaking very generally, the phone itself is roughly $300 and the software or "screen reader" that makes the phone functions talk 
is around another $200.  The price estimated here for the phone is based upon buying a phone from a dealer without going through a phone company.  Generally if 
you buy a phone through a service provider and sign a two year contract or renew one for two years, the phone company in effect subsidizes the cost of a new 
phone by $150 or $200 or so.  Therefore, if you sign a new contract or extend an existing one, it is very possible that you can get a phone that can be made 
accessible for $100 or so, but you still have to buy a "screen reader" for the phone which will probably cost you another $200.

However, as Joe mentioned, there are some phones out there which have some speech built in.  These phones can cost you less than $100 with a new contract or 
an extension, and no screen reader is required.  However, phones with built-in speech generally cannot handle e-mail or web browsing, but they can usually handle 
text messaging now and allow access to your contacts.  I believe that Sprint still has the LG Rumor 2 and the LG Lotus and there could be others by now that fit this 
category.  

You cannot add a screen reader to just any phone.  Like computers, the more advanced phones have "operating systems," and some of these do allow a screen 
reader to be added.  The most common operating system on phones that can be used with Sprint and Verizon is called Windows Mobile.  There is a screen reader 
called Mobile Speak that works with many of these phones.  Such phones are sometimes called SmartPhones or Pocket PC's.  Common brands include Samsung 
and Joe mentioned and also HTC but there are others.  Many of the Palm phones cannot be used with a screen reader.

Many of the phones that work on T-Mobil and AT&T use the Simbian operating system.  There is another screen reader that is used on these phones called TALKS.  
However, Mobile Speak also works on some of these phones, and TALKS works on certain Verizon phones now.  Phones made by Nokia are most common in this 
category, but not all Nokia phones are capablt of supporting a screen reader.

I just went through the process of buying an HTC Snap phone which I use on Sprint with Mobile Speak, and I found the whole business to be confusing at best.  
Therefore, I hope the above helps a little, but keep in mind that something I have written could easily have become out of date since I started this note.  <smile>  
Still, if you can keep in mind that some phones are simply not accessible, some have some built-in accessibility for basics, and some that use Windows Mobile or 
Simbian operating systems can be made accessible with the addition of a screen reader, you will be off to a good start.  Then also remember that you can usually get 
a big discount buying a phone from a service provider with a new contract or contract extension.  Good luck.

Best regards,

Steve Jacobson  ,

On Tue, 30 Mar 2010 11:03:52 -0400, Cathryn Bonnette wrote:

>Thanks much- Do you know if it is possible to purchase the voice software to
>install on a cell?

>-----Original Message-----
>From: blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>Behalf Of Joe Orozco
>Sent: Tuesday, March 30, 2010 9:47 AM
>To: 'NFBnet Blind Law Mailing List'
>Subject: Re: [blindlaw] A Change of Topic-Cell Phone Access

>I have a Samsung Intrepid through Sprint.  I switched over from Verizon,
>better deal on unlimited data plan.  The only advantage through Verizon, I
>think, is that you can purchase their HTC Ozone with Mobile Speak installed.
>Someone can correct me on that, and Verizon also carries the LG line that
>provides moderate accessibility.  I also live in DC and both carriers are
>the best ones here in terms of reception.

>Joe Orozco

>"Hard work spotlights the character of people: some turn up their sleeves,
>some turn up their noses, and some don't turn up at all."--Sam Ewing 

>-----Original Message-----
>From: blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org 
>[mailto:blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Cathryn Bonnette
>Sent: Tuesday, March 30, 2010 9:03 AM
>To: 'NFBnet Blind Law Mailing List'
>Subject: [blindlaw] A Change of Topic-Cell Phone Access

>Greetings to All:

> 

>Wondering if anyone can offer guidance on good deals, best 
>companies, etc.
>for cell phones or cell/internet packages.  I confess I don't 
>have $2,000.00
>to spend on the KNFB version, though it sounds great.  I have heard the
>frustration from Verizon employees in their center for customers with
>disabilities that no one listens to their attempts to advocate. 
> I observed
>yesterday that several cell phones using "Talks" voice software are no
>longer available. 

> 

>I'm hoping to shortcut similar research on several companies by seeking
>wisdom from the group.

> 

>Thanks in advance for any tips you may have to offer, and thanks for
>listening- 

> 

>Cathryn 

>_______________________________________________
>blindlaw mailing list
>blindlaw at nfbnet.org
>http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindlaw_nfbnet.org
>To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account 
>info for blindlaw:
>http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindlaw_nfbnet.org/jsoroz
>co%40gmail.com
> 

>__________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of 
>virus signature database 4984 (20100330) __________

>The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus.

>http://www.eset.com
> 
> 

>__________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature
>database 4985 (20100330) __________

>The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus.

>http://www.eset.com
> 


>_______________________________________________
>blindlaw mailing list
>blindlaw at nfbnet.org
>http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindlaw_nfbnet.org
>To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>blindlaw:
>http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindlaw_nfbnet.org/cathrynisfinally%4
>0verizon.net
>No virus found in this incoming message.
>Checked by AVG - www.avg.com 
>Version: 8.5.437 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2777 - Release Date: 03/30/10
>06:32:00


>_______________________________________________
>blindlaw mailing list
>blindlaw at nfbnet.org
>http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindlaw_nfbnet.org
>To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for blindlaw:
>http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindlaw_nfbnet.org/steve.jacobson%40visi.com