Phones for Low Vision and Blind Seniors - Features and Recommendations

Learn about the key features to look for in phones designed for low vision and blind seniors, such as high contrast, large fonts, tactile buttons, and speech functionality. Explore a variety of options and carriers like Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint. Discover specific phone models like LG Terra, Kyocera Dura XV, Convoy 4, and Samsung Gusto 3 tailored for accessibility needs.

• Low Vision
• Blind Seniors
• Accessibility Features
• Speech Technology
• Verizon

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1. Phones for low vision and blind seniors AMY MASON & CLARA VAN GERVEN NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND, JERNIGAN INSTITUTE 1 9/27/2024

2. What to look for (aka FAQ)? Most of the users who call us are looking for some combination of the following features: Carrier that works for the area Easy to use Speech High contrast Large fonts, items and icons Tactile buttons Emergency contact Voice dialing 2 9/27/2024

3. Speech vs. no speech In this presentation we have chosen to focus on the talking phones, as these offer the best accessibility for all blind and many low vision users. There are a number of easy-to-use, high contrast, tactile button feature phones which those with minor vision loss may find useful: Snapfon Emporia Doro phones 3 9/27/2024

4. Decision tree Carrier: Rural or urban? If rural, likely Verizon or AT&T In between? Try Sprint Do you need speech? If no: Low vision is very varied, so workable options will differ by user Consider Doro, Jitterbug, Snapfon, other large button and/or tactile phone If yes Feature phone Smartphone 4 9/27/2024

5. Verizon - LG Terra Full readout 5 speeds Not much lag Nice speech engine Invert color Large text Mono audio Sleek and a bit slippery Voice commands $96 retail price 5 9/27/2024

6. Verizon - Kyocera Dura XV Full readout 5 speeds Very laggy, muddy Contrast Normal Black & white No speech for app menu Rugged, grippy phone Still listed but not available through Verizon 6 9/27/2024

7. Verizon Convoy 4 Full readout 5 speeds A bit muddy Not much for low vision users Unlock is not accessible with speech unless you know what button is intended Grippy and ruggedized Voice commands $192 retail price 7 9/27/2024

8. Verizon - Samsung Gusto 3 (still) Tutorial Full readout 5 speeds Not the best speech Slick outer casing Slightly defined keys Voice commands $49.99 retail price 8 9/27/2024

9. Sprint - Alcatel Go Flip KaiOS Turn on/off speech ##258# Fairly tactile keyboard Unlabeled message fields Tabs in Settings not obvious or spoken Speech a bit muddy Nifty browser interaction with speech $99.99 retail price 9 9/27/2024

10. Once and future phone - iPhone Massive amount of supporting material Large blind and low vision community More complex Steeper learning curve From $399 10 9/27/2024

11. Smartphones Samsung Android Custom features TouchWiz TouchWiz Easy Home Nonvisual notes Three-finger swipe is easier to use than the rotor More reliable gesture recognition Simpler gestures Larger icons and touch targets Contacts favorites page Voice Assistant (TalkBack) Low vision notes No good default backgrounds Limited font sizing options Contrast issues throughout UI Keyboard 11 9/27/2024

12. Samsung Android - keyboard 12 9/27/2024

13. Smartphones LG Android Custom features EasyHome simplifies the home screen only Low vision notes EasyHome separates the icons better EasyHome contacts are easy to find, but contrast is poor Nonvisual notes Some TalkBack traps in EasyHome No real advantages 13 9/27/2024

14. Launchers - Wiser Custom phone and mail interface Many unlabeled buttons (TalkBack) Visuals not customizable Secondary page not customizable with Talkback Poor app icon contrast Free 14 9/27/2024

15. Launchers Big Launcher Varying use of Home or soft keys depending on the phone used Custom phone and mail interface SOS button Very easy and high contrast dialer Works well with TalkBack Easily customizable $9.99 15 9/27/2024

16. Launcher - Necta Unlabeled buttons (TalkBack) including dialer Good white on black mode No black on white mode ActivePERS option goes to web, changes contrast SOS option GPS and send current position Simplified camera interface Simplified media gallery News Apps are well separated and provide good touch targets Alarm has tricky visuals $6.99 16 9/27/2024

17. Launchers - conclusion There are many supposedly simple launchers out there, but not many live up to the needs of their target audience. 17 9/27/2024

18. Contact info Clara Van Gerven Amy Mason Manager of Accessibility Programs Access Technology Specialist cvangerven@nfb.org amason@nfb.org (410) 659-9314, extension 2410 (410) 659-9314, extension 2424 18 9/27/2024