Technologie i telekomunikacja · 05/08/2010

Accessible Mobile Phone Options for People Who Are Blind, Deaf-Blind, or Have Low Vision

In this document, the Commission, via the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau and the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau ("the Bureaus"), seeks input from all stakeholders in order to be fully informed on issues raised by consumers and to determine the appropriate next steps to achieve telecommunications access. The Bureaus seek input on the following issues: The wireless phone features and functions in the current marketplace that are not accessible for people who are blind, have vision loss, or are deaf-blind and the extent to which gaps in accessibility are preventing wireless communication access by these populations; the cost and feasibility of technical solutions to achieve wireless accessibility for these populations; reasons why there are not a greater number of wireless phones--particularly among less expensive or moderately-priced handset models--that are accessible to people who are blind or have vision loss; technical obstacles, if any, to making wireless technologies compatible with Braille displays, as well as the cost and feasibility of technical solutions to achieve other forms of compatibility with wireless products and services for people who are deaf-blind;