[blindlaw] A Change of Topic-Cell Phone Access

Tue Mar 30 19:42:23 UTC 2010

> I thought I'd chime in with a note about VoiceOver on the iPhone.  
> Apple includes a mobile version of its screen reader as part of the  
> operating system. It works with all Apple apps and many third party  
> apps to varying degrees. I can type on the onscreen keyboard about  
> as fast as I could on a numeric keypad. The phone starts at $199  
> with contract and runs about $90 a month for service.

On Mar 30, 2010, at 11:41, "Steve Jacobson" <steve.jacobson at visi.com>  
wrote:

> 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
>
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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/agtolentino%40gmail.com
>