For many years the only option available for persons with disabilities was TTY telephones. However this all changed by 1990. The 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act and FCC Section 255 requires telecommunication providers to offer equipment and services that are accessible to persons with disabilities. Whether your disability is one of hearing, speech, sight, dexterity or mobility, there are now many options to help you communicate with your friends and family.

Products for the Hearing and Speech Impaired

More than 30 million Americans suffer from some type of hearing loss. Depending on the severity of the hearing loss, there are many different products available. One popular solution is amplified telephones with manufacturers including Ameriphone, Clarity, Williams Sound, Ultratec, and Clear Sounds.
Amplified telephones can amplify volume more than 30 times louder than a conventional telephone. Several factors need to be considered when buying an amplified telephone. First of all, you should decide what type of amplification phone you need. Most amplified telephones amplify the incoming voice as they are designed for people who are hard of hearing but there are some models that can do both incoming and outgoing voice amplification. The outgoing voice amplification would be for someone who is soft-spoken or has a weak voice. Second, users should find out their degree of hearing loss. As a general guideline, a phone with 18-28dB is good for mild hearing loss; 30-48dB for moderate hearing loss; and 50-55dB for severe hearing loss. Third, understand what special features you are looking for. Are you looking for an amplified phone with caller ID, speakerphone, or any other features?  There are a variety of phones available for a variety of needs. Amplified phones range in price from $70 to a few hundred dollars.
Also, since there are different types of hearing losses consumers can buy modules with high-frequency amplifiers, voice-amplifying microphones, loud ringers, noise-canceling capabilities, handset and ringer volume controls. For those with severe hearing loss, consumers can buy extra loud ringers, visual indicators, and even bright strobe flashers.

Solutions for the Visual Impaired

For those who have visual disabilities, there are many options available including big button phones, large number keypads, bright visual ring indicators, LCD indicators for voice mail and voice dialing. The big button phones are becoming more popular and are phones whose numbers are high contract like black on white or white on black. Some big-button telephones have raised numbers and Braille indicators. These phones are hearing aid compatible, have one-number dialing and many other features. Manufacturers of big button phones include Williams Sound, ITT, Cortelco, AT&T, GE, Ameriphone, Northwestern, Conair and others and prices are pretty reasonable (less than $100).

Other Solutions

Lots of problems can interfere with dialing including arthritis, trembling or awkward fingers and weak memory. Customers with any degree of mobility and/or dexterity loss can benefit from remote control speakerphones and large number keypads. One solution that is becoming more popular to help address this concern is voice-dialing telephones. Telephones also come equipped now with one-touch push button speed dialing.
TTY - Telephones for the Deaf and Speech Impaired
Long before there was text messaging, there was TTY. TTY (Text Telephone), also known as TDD or Telecommunications for the deaf, allows users to type messages back and forth on the telephone instead of talking or listening. When messages are typed on a TTY keyboard the information is sent over a phone line to a receiving TTY and shown on a monitor. A telecommunications relay service (TRS) makes it possible to call from a phone to a TTY or vice versa. Although TTY was developed in the 1960s, today there are still many TTY telephones available in a variety of models, from the most basic and inexpensive to highly sophisticated, computer-like models and compact, pocket-sized TTYs.

The Bottom Line

Telephones connect us to our family and friends no matter where they are. For many persons with disabilities, telephones are also an important link to the community. With all the options available now for persons with disabilities, chances are that you will find a phone that is right for you and your specific needs.

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