Cell Phone Video on Access Problems for People with Vision Loss
Friends:
Today, the American Foundation for the Blind released a long-awaited
video on cell phone access problems confronting people with vision
loss.
You can view the video at
YouTube
at
You can read more about the campaign at
multimedia
release at
Here’s my blog about it, and comments are welcome at
http://www.afb.org/blog:
Access on Hold: New AFB Video Highlights Accessibility Problems with
Cell Phones Posted by Paul Schroeder on 4/2/2009 5:02:25 PM Paul
Schroeder
We’ve talked a lot about cell phone accessibility in the past and
while
some improvements to the accessibility of phones have been made
recently, the majority of cell phones still do not offer such obvious
access features as talking menus and magnification options, and those
that do are usually the more costly phones. AFB has released a new
video
illustrating the challenges people with vision loss face when trying
to
purchase a usable and affordable cell phone. Our hope is that both
the
leaders in the wireless industry and the Obama administration and the
new leadership at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will
take
immediate action to ensure that cell phones and phone services are
made
accessible for people with disabilities, as required by Section 255
of
the Communications Act. This video features our own expert Darren
Burton
at AFB TECH in Huntington WV and his colleague Tara Annis. You can
view
the embedded version of the video below or visit the cell phone
section
of our web site for an accessible version.
And, here’s the Press Release
New AFB Video Portrays Difficulties Faced by Cell Phone Users with
Vision Loss AFB Urges Action by Wireless Industry to Ensure People
with
Vision Loss Have Access to Cell Phones
New York, NY (April 2, 2009)
-Ever wonder what it would be like to use a cell phone without being
able to see the display screen or keypad? Would you be able to dial
calls, send a text message, or even get help in an emergency
situation?
This is often the reality for people with vision loss because the
majority of cell phones do not offer talking menus and magnification
options, and those that do cost much more. To improve the
accessibility
of cell phones for the more than 20 million Americans with vision
loss,
the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) is urging cell phone
manufacturers and providers to focus on cell phone accessibility as
they
gather at the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA)
conference in Las Vegas this week.
As part of its cell phone accessibility efforts, AFB has launched a
new
video illustrating the challenges people with vision loss face when
trying to purchase a usable and affordable cell phone. The video,
which
is available on YouTube and AFB’s web site, is audio described and
captioned to make it accessible to all people with disabilities. AFB
is
also urging the Obama administration and the new leadership at the
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to take immediate action to
ensure that cell phones and phone services are made accessible for
people with disabilities, as required by Section 255 of the
Communications Act .
“While we applaud the leadership shown by AT&T and Verizon, who are
providing software at a discount to make some of their phones
accessible
for consumers with vision loss, the reality is that the majority of
cell
phones still do not incorporate key features like speech output and
magnification of information displayed on the screen,” said Paul
Schroeder, Vice President, Programs and Policy Group at AFB. “Cell
phones are an essential part of modern life, and it’s time
manufacturers
and carriers start providing phones that work for everyone, including
the millions of us who do not have perfect eyesight.”
For more information on cell phone accessibility, visit
http://www.afb.org/cellphones.
###
The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) is a national nonprofit
that
expands possibilities for people with vision loss. AFB’s priorities
include broadening access to technology; elevating the quality of
information and tools for the professionals who serve people with
vision
loss; and promoting independent and healthy living for people with
vision loss by providing them and their families with relevant and
timely resources. AFB is also proud to house the Helen Keller
Archives
and honor the more than forty years that Helen Keller worked
tirelessly
with AFB. For more information visit us online at www.afb.org .
For more information, contact:
Caitlin McFeely
212-502-7674
[email protected]
Paul W. Schroeder
Vice President, Programs and Policy
American Foundation for the Blind
1660 L Street, N.W., Suite 513
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-822-0832
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.afb.org
Expanding possibilities for people with vision loss ™