[blparent] [Bulk] Re: accessable cell phones?

Fri Oct 9 14:02:06 UTC 2009

Please let's all realize that the landscape of cellphones changes quickly.  It is definitely true that some carriers require data plans with some phones now and they 
don't care if you use the data plan or not.  There are both artificial and real reasons for doing so.  In some cases you might be able to talk a company into allowing 
you not to take a data plan, but in many cases you won't if you are using a particular phone.  It can help to go to the carrier's web site and try to read up on each 
plan to get a sense of what options there are before you talk to a representative.  Some carriers are giving unadvertised credits now if you extend your contract with 
them, so even if you are sick of your current carrier, it makes sense to check with them in case they make you an offer you can't refuse.  <smile>  I wasn't sure if my 
family was going to remain with Sprint, but there was a substantial credit associated with each line in our family plan that made me decide to stick with them.  You 
need to check the coverage in the areas that you are in.  It doesn't matter if so-and-so has great coverage but you never go there.  If you compare between 
companies, write down the specifics of the plans to be sure you remember every detail.  For example if a plan gives you free minutes after 7:00 PM and another after 
9:00 PM, that could have a significant impact of the paid minutes you use up.  Missing a seemingly unimportant detail like that could cost you money.  How your 
carrier handles roaming when you travel is important, both when you call through your carrier from other locations and when you can't connect with your carrier and 
use another network.  There is no way around it, cellphone plans are some of the more complicated purchases that we make now.  While there are benefits and it is 
all part of competition, it can be a nightmare for the consumer.

On Thu, 8 Oct 2009 23:26:48 -0400, Tammy, Paul and Colyn wrote:

>Hi,

>Most phone companies ask you to get a data plan on a two or three year 
>contract with their sell phones, and if you get it the price of the phone 
>will be lowered according to which plan you get.  But as far as I know you 
>do not have to get one if you are not going to use it.  What's the point!

>Tammy
>----- Original Message ----- 
>From: "Eva Adams" <eadams15 at gmail.com>
>To: "NFBnet Blind Parents Mailing List" <blparent at nfbnet.org>
>Sent: Thursday, October 08, 2009 4:50 PM
>Subject: [Bulk] Re: [blparent] accessable cell phones?

>> Hey Ali,
>> I will tell you that you will need sighted assistance to put mobile speak 
>> on the e71x if you are a jaws user. I have not been able to find a copy of 
>> nokia pc sweet that will work fully with jaws. I like the window smart 
>> phones, because I have found the program to be accessible to transfer 
>> files to the phone. Who has told you guys that you have to have a data 
>> plan for the phones? My fiance bought the e71x a few months ago, and 
>> didn't have to have a data plan. I bought my pantech duo in February, and 
>> didn't have to have a data plan. I am curious if this is a new thing. The 
>> only phone I have heard of that you have to have a data plan for it the 
>> IPhone.
>>
>> Eva
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "Allie" <alliemartins at gmail.com>
>> To: "NFBnet Blind Parents Mailing List" <blparent at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Thursday, October 08, 2009 1:38 PM
>> Subject: Re: [blparent] accessable cell phones?
>>
>>
>>> Hi Rebecca,
>>>
>>> I know Verizon has the HTC Ozone with Talks already installed on it. Not 
>>> sure how much it would be in the store, but it's $149.98 if you order it 
>>> online. That seems to be the best phone they have with Talks on it. They 
>>> also have the LG phones that talk straight off the shelf, and which 
>>> apparently have gotten better, but I don't know much about them.
>>> AT&T has a few different options you can choose from. My contract with 
>>> Verizon is up this month, and I was planning on switching to AT&T as 
>>> well. The plan I'm switching to has the same amount of minutes and 
>>> features for the same price. I am also struggling with the data package 
>>> idea; I really don't want to pay 20 or 30 extra dollars a month for 
>>> something I will hardly use.
>>>
>>> Have you looked at www.letstalk.com? I was interested in the Nokia E71X 
>>> with a two year contract because it was free. You can't get mobile speak 
>>> through that site, but I was planning on calling the Disability Center at 
>>> AT&T anyway and getting mobile speak that way.
>>>
>>> Also, if you're not sure what AT&T phones mobile speak supports, you can 
>>> look up the list of supported phones on www.codefactory.es
>>>
>>> HTH.
>>>
>>> -- Allie
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>> From: "Pickrell, Rebecca M (IS)" <REBECCA.PICKRELL at ngc.com>
>>> To: <blparent at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Thursday, October 08, 2009 10:57 AM
>>> Subject: [blparent] accessable cell phones?
>>>
>>>
>>>> Hi guys.
>>>> I don't know if this offtopic for this list or not.
>>>> Anyway, I'm thinking I want an accessable cell phone and am trying to
>>>> decide between AT&T and Verizon. We have Verizon and our contract is up.
>>>> A trip to the Verizon store and a talk on their phone about accessable
>>>> options was to say the least not very confidence enspiring. I had to
>>>> tell the Verizon lady on the phone and the guy at the store about Talks,
>>>> both seemed unaware of it.
>>>> AT&T seems to have a phone with Mobilespeak that will do what I want.
>>>> Does anybody on this list know anything about either plan or option and
>>>> have any feedback?
>>>> AT&T says if I give them proof of my blindness they will take the data
>>>> package off the phone with Mobilespeak. I am not a big cell phone user,
>>>> don't really want the data package, but nor do I want to give AT&T any
>>>> medical info.
>>>> All I want is a phone where I can add contacts, use menus and know who's
>>>> calling.
>>>> Thoughts?
>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>
>>>
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>>
>>
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