.FLYINGHEAD ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY
.TITLE Forget the iPhone: accessibility trumps trendiness
.AUTHOR G. Denise Lance
.SUMMARY While millions swooned over the iPhone, a number of people, especially those with visual impairments and some with physical disabilities, felt either left out of the hoopla or angered by Apple’s apparent lack of consideration for universal design in the state-of-the-art cell phone. But there are alternatives. In this important article, Denise Lance shares some recommendations.
.OTHER
While millions swooned over the iPhone, a number of people, especially those with visual impairments and some with physical disabilities, felt either left out of the hoopla or angered by Apple’s apparent lack of consideration for universal design in the state-of-the-art cell phone.
.H1 iPhone accessibility
For users with blindness, the touch screen interface offers no tactile feedback. Furthermore, the flat buttons can only be activated through contact with human skin, so those with physical disabilities cannot use a stylus or other pointing devices to make calls or access music and movies on an iPhone.
In defense, [[http://www.apple.com/accessibility/iphone/index.html|Apple]] has listed many accessibility features that were included in iPhone’s design, including the ability to read email in giant-sized font, hands-free speakerphone capability, and support for TTY’s for those who are deaf (which requires purchase of an adapter). They also promise that the user’s guide will soon be available is accessible formats, such as plain text to read with screen readers.
.TEASER There’s more to learn. Tap here to keep reading.
Some with physical disabilities say that the touch screen interface is actually easier for them than traditional cell phones. Since I don’t know anyone with an iPhone, and I’m not willing to pay $599 to experiment, I cannot say whether it would fit my access needs.
I have a sense that jagged movements would cause many mis-selections. While I’m an advocate of universal design that is flexible enough to meet the needs of the most people, experience has taught me that few devices can be perfect for every potential user. The debate over the iPhone is valid, but these discussions rarely highlight the options that are available people with disabilities.
.H1 Code Factory
[[http://www.codefactory.es/|Code Factory]] offers the Mobile Speak and Mobile Speak Pocket, applications that read all elements on Pocket PC or Symbian cell phone screens to people with blindness. For those with low vision, Mobile Magnifier for Symbian phones and Mobile Magnifier Pocket for Windows mobile devices, also from Code Factory, make everything large and readable.
.H1 GimpGear
[[http://www.gimpgear.us/accessiblecellphones.htm|Gimpgear]] specializes in cell phones for people with quadriplegia and other significant physical disabilities. Most of the options, such as Vocalize, allow all phone functions to be accessed through voice commands and some work with a combination of voice commands and switch activation.
Those who have impaired speech might be able to use consistent vocalizations rather than actual words. The ability to try the systems for 15 days and still receive a full refund offers an advantage for those who are not sure it is feasible.
Since it runs on Pocket PC systems, the Smartphone Advanced Voice Control Calling and Voice Control Digital Media Player Package allows users to access music and movies using only voice commands. So, it essentially has all the cool features of the iPhone with the accessibility of complete voice recognition. A demonstration of the system, which is not supposed to require training for voice recognition, can be seen on Gimpgear’s site. These systems rival or exceed the iPhone in price, ranging from $249 to $649, depending upon whether they have basic or advanced functions.
.H1 Firefly
For many people with intellectual and significant learning disabilities, souped-up cells are just too complex to be useful, especially when they need to reach assistance quickly in emergency situations. A simplified phone targeted for children and older people such as the [[http://www.fireflymobile.com|Firefly]] features a simplified interface with just five buttons. Two frequently used numbers and 911 have dedicated keys and the phonebook can store 20 additional numbers.
.H1 Ablelink
Still, many adults with intellectual disabilities do not want to be stigmatized by using devices designated for kids. That was one motivation for Dan Davies of Ablelink Technologies to develop the [[http://www.ablelinktech.com/_handhelds/pocketace.asp|Pocket Ace]]. The Pocket Ace is a simplified cell phone application that features pictures of people a person might want to call. Touching the person’s photo dials his or her number. The phone was intentionally designed for Pocket PCs. Since so many people use them, a person using the Pocket Ace need not feel different from others.
If you are going to spend big money on a cell phone, it is seems more important to choose one that meets your needs, rather than the one with the latest bells and whistles or cool factor. However, it would be great if cell phone designers could combine accessibility into a hip device.
.BEGIN_SIDEBAR
.H1 Product availability and resources
Learn about [[http://www.apple.com/accessibility/iphone/index.html|iPhone accessibility]].
Learn about [[http://www.codefactory.es/|Code Factory’s cell phone applications]] for those with low vision or blindness.
Visit [[http://www.gimpgear.us/accessiblecellphones.htm|Gimpgear]].
View a [[http://www.gimpgear.us/advanced_voice_control.htm|demonstration]] of Gimpgear’s Smartphone Advanced Voice Control Calling and Voice Control Digital Media Player Package.
Learn about [[http://www.fireflymobile.com|Firefly]].
Learn about [[http://www.ablelinktech.com/_handhelds/pocketace.asp|Pocket Ace]].
.END_SIDEBAR
.BIO
