Mobile phones

Mobile phones have the capacity to send short messages in text, as well as enabling people to talk to one another. If your vision is good enough, you may find this a great way to keep in touch with people or you can have software installed into your mobile that will enlarge the text on the mobile phone screen for you.

Apart from being easy to use, text messaging allows you to keep in touch while on the move. It is rather like sending an e-mail but messages are typically up to 160 characters in length. Longer messages will simply be split in two and then sent.

All you need is a mobile phone. And your friends or family also need one!

Also, you may need a mobile phone with a vibrate function, to alert you when you have a new message. Most manufacturers offer mobile phones with this function.

More information

The RNID produces a factsheet about mobile phones, including more information about compatibility with hearing aids.

Product	Supplier	Product code	Price
Mobile phone magnifier	Rammland		£90 + £5 return packing and recorded delivery
Mobile Magnifier is the first screen magnification software for mobile phones for the visually impaired. It enlarges and enhances all items of the mobile phone display.
T-Link mobile phone neck loop	Connevans	C01	£63.00
The T-Link loop is placed around the neck. When using the phone you switch their hearing aid/s to the 'T' position to receive the incoming speech.
Easy 5 mobile phone	RNIB	HM06R	£116.33
Phone with large simple buttons to feel - Phone can be set up so that you can dial your most important telephone numbers simply by 'one touch'.
Emporia Life Mobile Phone	RNIB	HM07	£169.99
A simple to use big buttoned black mobile phone which allows you to make and receive phone calls and send and receive text messages with ease.
Braille Connect 12	Humanware	N/A	£1,495.00
Braille Connect 12 is the revolutionary new product from Humanware of a wireless Braille Keyboard for a PDA, mobile handset or PC.
Pocket Hal	Dolphin	N/A	£699.12. Discount for blind users
Screen reader with braille support to enable a blind/low vision user to access a personal digital assistant. Compatiable with bluetooth.