Using Landlines, Smartphones, and Tablets if You’re Blind

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Adjusting to vision changes can present new challenges, but it doesn’t have to mean giving up the simple pleasure and convenience of using a telephone. You’ve likely used a phone without much thought for years, but recent vision changes can make this familiar activity problematic. Common issues for adults who are blind or have low vision can include dialing an incorrect number or getting disconnected because you can’t dial the next digit quickly enough.

However, you can overcome these obstacles. By embracing new approaches and utilizing a variety of tools, techniques, and technologies, you can continue to use the telephone with ease, confidence, and accuracy. Whether you prefer a traditional landline, a smartphone, or a tablet, this article will help you stay connected.

Using a Landline Phone

For traditional phones, many simple, low-cost solutions can make all the difference. These techniques and adaptations can help you use your telephone again with confidence and accuracy.

Learning to Dial by Touch

All telephones, whether they have physical keys or a touchscreen, use the same arrangement of numbers. You can practice locating the numbers on a keypad without actually dialing by either not lifting the receiver or not pushing the “phone” button on a cordless telephone.

Familiarize Yourself with the Keypad: The keypad has four rows with three buttons across each row. Use your free hand’s index, middle, and ring fingers to explore the layout.

Establish a “Home Row”: Use the second row—numbers 4, 5, and 6—for orientation. Place your middle finger on number 5, your index finger on number 4, and your ring finger on number 6.

Practice Reaching for Other Numbers:

Reach your index finger up to the first row for number 1 and down to the third row for number 7.

Reach your index finger further down to the fourth row for the * (star) key.

Reach your middle finger up to the first row for number 2 and down to the third row for number 8.

Reach your middle finger further down to the fourth row for the number 0.

Reach your ring finger up to the first row for number 3 and down to the third row for number 9.

Reach your ring finger further down to the fourth row for the # (pound) key.

Maintain Your Orientation: Always return your fingers to the “home row” position before reaching for the next number in the sequence. Throughout the dialing process, ask yourself, “Where am I now on the keypad, and where do I want to go?” It may take some time and practice, but eventually, you’ll be able to dial a telephone number without even thinking about it.

To help orient yourself to the keypad, you can mark the number 5 with a Loc-Dot, Spot ‘n Line Pen, Hi-Mark Tactile Pen, or other marking material.

Helpful Telephone Technology

Speed Dialing: This service, which may be available from your local telephone company for a monthly fee, lets you pre-program frequently called numbers with a short code (such as the * key followed by an assigned number, like 1 or 2). No special telephone equipment is required. To help you remember which number you assigned to each code, create a chart or list in a format you can use, such as audio, large print, or braille. A duplicate version can also be helpful for family members or friends to use if needed.

Voice-Activated Telephones: A voice-activated telephone allows you to dial a number by speaking a person’s name that has been pre-programmed into the phone. The number is dialed automatically once the phone recognizes the name. Initially, you must “teach” your phone to recognize your voice, which may take some time.

Auto-Dial or Programmable Telephones: Auto-dial phones let you program up to 50 telephone numbers. When you lift the handset, the auto-dialer scrolls through your contacts until you hear the name you want to call, and then it automatically dials the number. Some models allow you to place identifying material, such as a photograph or a name in large print, under the programmed dialing buttons.

Adapted and Specialty Telephones

If you have low vision, you may also find it helpful to place a flexible arm or gooseneck lamp near the telephone to help you see the numbers more clearly. Additionally, several types of telephones, accessories, and adaptations can be beneficial.

Large Print Telephones: “Big Button” telephones feature large numbers with high-contrast colors (e.g., black numbers on a white background or vice versa).

Amplified Large Print Telephones: These phones increase the volume by 20+ decibels, with some models going up to 40+ decibels. Both models have bright visual ring flashers and an adjustable ringer volume.

Amplified Talking Telephones with Braille: These phones feature ten programmable buttons with braille for frequently dialed numbers and three emergency buttons. Some models can increase volume up to 37+ decibels and announce each number as you dial it.

Large Print Telephone Push Button Number Stickers: These are adhesive stickers with large, bold numbers (e.g., 3/4″ by 3/4″ black numbers on a white background). They are also available in other color combinations, such as white on black, black on yellow, and yellow on black.

Talking Caller ID: This device features a voice announcement, call waiting, volume control, and an audio review of the last 10 calls.

Voice-Activated Phone Dialers: These devices connect to any phone and enable voice-activated dialing. Features can include recalling and dialing up to 60 names and phone numbers.

When possible, select your own telephone instead of asking a family member or friend to choose it for you. Also, remember that telephone technology changes frequently so that a specific model can be updated (or discontinued) at any time.

Using Cell Phones and Tablets

Smartphones and tablets are more usable today than ever before. If you’ve given up on using a cell phone or a tablet because of vision changes, it may be time to take another look.

Understanding What’s Available

Cell phones and tablets, like computers, have different operating systems.

Apple: Apple has built accessibility directly into their operating system from the beginning, giving people who are blind or have low vision the first off-the-shelf, fully usable smartphone and tablet.

Zoom allows you to enlarge everything on the screen.

VoiceOver speaks text aloud on iOS devices. The built-in tutorial is recommended for learning the gestures used when these features are enabled.

Inverted Colors can make text easier to read for some, though it may distort the appearance of graphics or photos.

Large Fonts increase the size of text in some native apps.

Before you buy, check out AppleVis, a website for iOS users who are blind or have low vision, to ensure VoiceOver will work well with the apps you’re interested in.

Android: The usability of the Android operating system is comparable to Apple.

Magnification Gestures and adjustable fonts are available.

TalkBack, Android’s screen-reading software, enhances the usability of devices.

Learn more about Android app accessibility at sites like AccessibleAndroid.com.

Choosing A Device

When you’re at the store, be upfront with salespeople. Let them know you have difficulty seeing and are looking for features to help you use a cell phone independently. Not all salespeople will be familiar with mobile accessibility, so knowing what to look for is key.

A Larger Screen May Help: If large text helps you read more easily, finding a phone with a large screen is important. When inspecting a model, ask yourself, “Is this screen big enough for me?” and “Can I increase the font size, alter the contrast or brightness, and change hard-to-see icons into words?” Have the salesperson change the settings so you can “play” with it and see if the adjusted settings work for you.

Look for Voice Output and Input: Ask to see phones with voice output capabilities that speak information like caller ID and announce numbers as you press the keys. This, combined with a large screen, can make it easier to know who is calling or verify that you are dialing correctly.

Find Easy-to-See and -Feel Keys: Even though touchscreen phones are popular and usable, you may prefer a more traditional phone with physical keys. Consider the Blindshell or Jitterbug phones.

The numbers on some phones also light up, making them easier to see.

General Tips and Accessibility

Both AT&T and Verizon have dedicated Disability and Aging Call Centers and Accessibility Centers to assist customers.

There are several ways to keep telephone numbers and record messages, depending on which reading and writing method you’re most comfortable with. It’s a good idea to store your materials next to the phone and keep emergency numbers (like doctors, police, and hospitals) separate so you can access them quickly.

Using Digital Assistants

Digital assistants like Alexa and Google Home can be used for making calls to individuals if set up through their respective mobile phone apps. You can’t, however, call 911 using these devices. On your smartphone, built-in assistants like Siri (Apple) and Google Assistant (Android) can help you activate items on the phone, dial numbers, create reminders, and much more.

You can request to receive an electronic copy of your bill, or ask for an alternative format, such as braille, large print, or access information via the phone.

By exploring these options and finding what works best for you, you can continue to use the telephone with ease and confidence.