Phones and Broadband –
a guide for people with disabilities and older people.
Acknowledgement.
The following guide is the product of
considerable work by the NDA, ComReg, the telecommunications sector including
both fixed-line and mobile operators, and representative disability
organisations including:
- BT Communications
- eircom Ltd,
- 3,
- Meteor,
- Vodafone
- O2 Communications
- People with Disabilities in
- Disability Federation of
- National Council for the Blind National Association for Deaf
People.
The NDA and ComReg would like to thank all participants for their contribution, and wish to acknowledge that the guide represents a joint effort by all concerned.
Equipment and services that make it easier to communicate using the phone or broadband.
This guide has been designed to inform you
about the various phone features and services available from Service Providers
in this country. Information is provided on:
- Useful telephone features and services;
- Useful broadband internet services;
- Billing and customer support information; and
- The contact details for the various agencies and service
providers.
If you find any services that appeal to
you, you can contact any of the Service Providers listed in the ‘Contact
Information’ section at the end of the guide.
All listed services are offered by at least one provider, sometimes more.
Useful phone services.
Phone service providers offer a number of services that enable people with disabilities to communicate more easily. To find out whether these are available, contact the individual service providers. Contact details are provided at the end of this brochure.
SMS to
speech: This is a service that converts any
text messages (also called SMS) that are sent to you into speech so you can
listen to them. This can be very useful if you have difficulty reading the
display and do not have a phone that can convert text to speech itself.
Text relay service: This service
allows you to receive voice messages on a text-phone by translating them into
text. You can then send that text to the text-phone of customers of any
operator.
Video
calling: This enables communication between
two handsets using live video. Currently, this service is available only on
mobile handsets which are equipped to access the 3Gnetwork (3G stands for
‘Third Generation’ and enables you to use services such as the Internet, or
Instant Messaging on your 3G enabled mobile phone).
Free
Directory Enquiries: For those who are unable
to use a phone book because of a disability, some operators provide special
directory enquiries services free of charge.
Delivery
Reports: This feature, which is quite common
on mobile phones, lets you receive a free text message
stating whether the text message you have sent has been received by the
recipient.
Useful features of fixed-line phones and mobile phones.
You may find some of the following features
helpful. These are available on some fixed-line phone handsets (sometimes
called your landline or home phone) and mobile phones.
Contact your service provider (the telephone company which provides you with a
phone service) to find out whether they can provide equipment with these
features.
Contact details for all service providers are included at the end of this brochure.
Large keys: Some phones have keys that are larger than normal, well spaced or
recessed and with a raised dot on the number 5. These can be much easier to use
for people who have difficulty seeing or operating small controls.
Hands-free: A phone that you can use hands-free, by having an in-built
microphone and loudspeaker, can be useful if you have trouble holding a
handset.
Hearing-aid
compatible: Phones that can be used with a
hearing aid (hearing-aid compatible phones) can be much easier to use if you
are hard of hearing. To use this feature, set your hearing aid to the ‘T’
position.
Headsets: Some phones can be used with an earpiece or headset. This may be
connected either through a standard ‘mini jack’ headphone socket in your phone
or wirelessly using Bluetooth.
Bluetooth is the name of the technology that allows devices to communicate
wirelessly. This can produce better call quality for some people and is easier
to use if you need voice output.
Voice output: Voice output is available on some mobile phones to speak out the
menus and other information on the display. Voice output makes most or all of the phone’s functions available if you cannot read
the text on the display.
Volume: Some phones are louder than others. Most have adjustable volume
level.
Text (SMS)
and multimedia messaging (MMS): All mobile
phones and some fixed-line phones can be used to send text messages. Some can
also send multimedia messages that contain video, sound, or photographs.
Text size: Some phones have larger displays with bigger text or text that is adjustable in size if you have low vision.
Display
screen contrast: The screen on some phones
uses a display with more or better contrast than others.
Voice
dialling: This allows you to dial a person by
just speaking their name, once you have entered their number into the phone’s
‘phone book’.
Quick dial
keys: Many phones allow you to associate
specific numbers to certain keys, so that pressing the key automatically dials
the number. In some cases, special keys are provided with symbols on them to
indicate the function, such as Doctor, Police or Assistance. This can be very
useful in providing security if you cannot easily remember numbers.
Backlit keypad: Some mobile phones have keypads that light up, making it easier to see the numbers and letters in the dark.
Flashing
indicator: Phones may offer a flashing display
function which visually notifies you of an incoming call or text message.
Vibration
Function:
A phone with a built in vibration function will notify you of an incoming call
or text message by vibration.
Useful broadband internet services.
Broadband internet offers a number of alternative or additional possibilities for communication. Some of these may make communication easier or more cost effective if you have a disability.
Internet
calling: There are various services available
over the internet to make low-cost phone calls, video calls and text messages.
One of the more popular low-cost phone call services is called Skype™.
Instant
Messaging: Instant messaging can be described
as having a text conversation in real time. Many Instant Messaging programs are
available free of charge and some can even be used on a mobile phone. Popular
Instant Messengers are
Email: An email is a message which is sent electronically (over the
internet) from one person to another. To send and receive emails you need an
email account. These accounts are mostly free of charge. Popular email services
are provided by Google, Yahoo, and Windows Live.
If you find it difficult to read printed text, there are other ways you can access the information.
Other bill
formats: If you have difficulty reading your
phone bill, it may be possible to ask for it in a different format, such as
large print, Braille, audio or clear print. Alternatively, you may be able to
have your bill delivered by email, or to view an accessible online version on
the service provider’s website.
Other information: Information describing services and instructions on how to set them
up is often available inaccessible formats, such as large print, Braille, plain
text, email or accessible web pages.
Online access
to services: Some service providers offer online
access through their website to services like looking at your bill or changing
to another package.
Customer
Support: All service providers offer customer
support for the range of equipment and services they provide. The following
supports can be very useful.
Set-up
assistance: Assistance may be available with
the set-up of equipment and services.
User guides: When you purchase a new phone, abuser guide will be included. If
you need the user guide in a different format, such as Braille, you should contact
your service provider to find out what other options they can provide.
Help with costs.
The following services can help greatly to reduce the cost of using your phone.
The Telephone
Allowance: Many people with disabilities and
older people can receive help with their phone bills from the Department of
Social and Family Affairs, under the Household Benefits Scheme. To find out
whether you qualify and how to apply, contact the Department of Social and
Family Affairs (details available in the ‘Contact information’ section of this
guide)
Free calls: Many mobile phone and fixed-line service providers provide packages
that allow you to make free calls to people who are registered with the same
service provider. This can save you a lot of money for numbers that you dial
frequently.
Free equipment: Some of the features or accessories that you need in a phone handset or mobile phone are provided by some operators at no extra cost or at a discount. Contact your service provider to find out which ones they offer.
Free
services: Operators may provide some services
free if you need them.
For example, free priority fault repair if you are vulnerable and rely on your
phone for contact and requesting assistance.
SMS Bundles: Certain mobile operators may offer a special package called a Text Bundle. You could save money by purchasing text messages in a bundle compared to normal priced text messaging.
Contact information.
Service providers.
Below are the contact details of the service providers who have contributed to this guide:
BT Ireland
BT Communications Ireland Ltd, Head Office,
Phone: 1800 923 924 (Sales Support)
Phone: 1904 (Customer Care & Billing)
Website: www.btireland.ie
Eircom
Eircom Ltd,
1 Heuston South Quater,
St John's Road,
Dublin 8
Phone: 1901
Website:
www.eircom.ie/disabilityservices
3
Mobile
3,
PO Box 333,
Dublin 2.
From your 3 mobile: 333
From other mobiles/phones:083 333 3333
Minicom users: 1800 944 032
Fax: 01 - 5426301
Website: www.three.ie
Meteor
Meteor Mobile Communications Ltd.,
4030 Kingswood Avenue,
Citywest Business Park,
Naas Road, Dublin 24.
Phone: 1905
Website: www.meteor.ie
Email: info@meteor.ie
O2
O2 Customer Care Centre,
Phone: 1747 (Prepay Customer Care –14c per call)
Phone: 1909 (Pay Monthly Customer care – Free of Charge)
Email: customer.care@o2.ie
Website: www.o2.ie
Vodafone
Vodafone, Mountainview,
Leopardstown,
Phone: 1850 20 87 87 (Ready To Go Customers – Callsave charge applies)
Phone: 1907 (Pay Monthly Customers – Free of Charge)
Fax: 042 - 932 67 45 (Pay Monthly Customers)
Website: www.vodafone.ie
Disability organisations.
Below are the organisations that contributed to the making of this guide:
People with
Disabilities in
4th Floor Jervis House,
Phone: 01 - 872 1744 Fax: 01 - 872 1771
Email info@pwdi.ie
Website: www.pwdi.ie
Disability
Federation of Ireland,
Phone: 01 - 454 7978
Fax: 01 - 454 7981
Email: info@disability-federation.ie
Website: www.disability-federation.ie
National
Council for the Blind of
NCBI Head Office,
Drumcondra,
Phone: 1850 334 353
Fax: 01 830 7787
Email: info@ncbi.ie
National
Association for Deaf People,
Phone: 01 872 3800
Minicom: 01 817 5777 Fax: 01 878 3692
Email: nad@iol.ie
Text Messages: 01 878 3692
Videophone: 01 817 1400
Commission
for Communications Regulation (ComReg),
ComReg is the regulator for the electronic communications (telecommunications,
radio
communications and broadcasting)
and postal sectors.
Block DEF,
Abbey Court,
Irish Life Centre,
Lo-Call: 1890 229 668/ 01-8049600 (main
switch)
Email: consumerline@comreg.ie
Main website: www.comreg.ie
Consumer website www.askcomreg.ie
Operator comparison website: www.callcosts.ie
National
Disability Authority (NDA),
The NDA is the lead state agency on disability
issues, providing independent expert advice to Government on policy and
practice.
Phone: 01-608 0400
Fax: 01-660 9935
Email: nda@nda.ie
Website: www.nda.ie
Department of
Social and Family Affairs (DSFA),
The DSFA are in charge of the Household Benefits Package. Included in the
package is the Free Telephone Scheme which can entitle you to a subsidy in
either your mobile or fixed-line phone. Below are the contact details for the
Social Welfare Services Office,
Tel: 1890 500 000
Website: www.welfare.ie
Legal Disclaimer.
We prepared this document from a variety of
sources.
While we took reasonable care to prepare it, we do not accept any responsibility
for any loss or damage anyone may suffer by using any of this
September 2007.