Mobile-Tech For The Visually Impaired

The mobile phone can be regarded as a relatively universal tool for all, in a generic sense. I’m sure I’ll get little or no arguments from anyone. Of course we have to take into account special circumstances and scenarios when we make a statement like that. Considering a mobile phone these days relies a lot on visual rather than just sound, there should be some concerns for the visually impaired and there is.

In an effort to make technology a bit more convenient for the visually impaired, there are a few companies in the mobile industry that have either incorporated various features into regular handsets or have specially designed handsets for the same. But as far as I know there seems to be just a single mobile handset dedicated for this specific purpose. Here are options that are available for the visually impaired in the mobile industry.

Mobile Phones
Spice Braille Mobile
India's Spice Mobile is probably the only handset manufacturer who has considered the visually impaired and has developed a mobile handset specifically for these individuals. The handset called the Braille Phone was launched at this year’s World Mobile Congress. The handset is a simplistic device in a candy bar form factor.

The handset comes with a normal mobile phone keypad that’s a bit larger than others. Braille scripted numbers are embossed onto each key to ensure that the users will be able to easily distinguish the forms. To make it even simpler, the handset will also voice out each digit when a button is pressed. It repeats the entire number when the call button is pressed before connecting the call as an added function. Speed dialing is also an option for further simplifying its usage. This voice only phone, is an extremely low cost handset that should cost about Rs. 980 ($20) or less.

Nokia
Nokia had also launched a handset called the 6682RVI that came with a software called ‘TALKS’ that converts all data on the handset to speech in various language, including emails, text messages, menus etc.