[nfb-db] phone calls on the go

[Yirmiyah]

Hi everyone,

I was visually impaired before I became hard of hearing, so I guess  
that's a big influence on my way of looking at this.  The only calls I  
would make when I'm out are business calls, for instance to call  
paratransit if they're late, or to call an office to ask for  
directions if I'm having trouble finding it.  For that type of thing,  
the phone is the only way to reach people.

One idea might be to use a Smartphone with Mobile Speak and a braille  
display, and use relay service through instant messaging.  Do other  
people do this?  Do you like it?  I think it would be a good option,  
but it's a very expensive idea to try as an experiment.  Another  
option might be to use instant message relay with a BrailleNote and a  
cell phone, once the new version of Keysoft comes out; it will support  
Google Talk, and I think Hamilton Relay can be reached through Google  
Talk.

I think I'm approaching this problem as a person who used to be able  
to do a lot through hearing.  I am certainly open to other approaches  
and ways of thinking.  Thanks, everyone, for your input!

Jeremy