The recent BlackBerry outage, which saw millions of users cut off from instant messaging, e-mails and Web services, has shaken the very foundations of parent company RIM. But this tech blackout is a daily reality for millions of visually-impaired users who are unable to read or type on their phones.
October is International Blind Awareness month, and aims to draw attention to the sight-related disorders affecting an estimated 284 million people worldwide. It's a sobering number considering 80% of cases are caused by factors which could have been prevented, treated or cured. This is compounded by the fact that the tools which have made life easier for most mainstream consumers have largely left differently-abled users behind.
Johan Grove, former specialist for specific needs at Vodacom, was fully sighted until the age of 15, when a genetic eye condition saw him lose 50% of his vision in six months. He was diagnosed with a rare juvenile form of macular degeneration, which usually affects older people, and his sight gradually deteriorated until he had between 2% and 3% of his vision left. Following a stem cell operation in Germany, he now has about 6% sight.
You'd never know it, however, from the way Grove navigates the maze of corridors in his office building or the casual way he manipulates his phone. His Nokia C5 is loaded with text-to-speech software that allows him to perform a range of tasks quickly and conveniently, rather than having to ask for assistance.
“Before, a cellphone was little more than the equivalent of carrying a landline around,” says Grove. “You had to memorise everyone's number because you couldn't see your contacts, and you couldn't send or read messages.”
Loaded with voice software company Nuance's speaking software, the phone reads out keys, functions, menus, and commands. A tap of a key also lets users know the battery strength and signal. Grove demonstrates, pressing various buttons to have his contacts read out as he scrolls down, or to hear his messages and who sent them.
“I love technology - computers, cellphones, TVs - but the ironic thing is, the newer the tech, the less accessible it is to screen readers and screen magnification.” It's frustrating because one expects technology and phones to become easier to use, like it does for regular users, he says.
Screen magnification software essentially enlarges portions of the screen so content is more readable, while screen readers convert content displayed on-screen into synthesised speech or Braille, which can be read via an output device.
While there are a few handsets compatible with magnification and speaking software, most manufacturers are unwilling to spend money on developing accessible phones or applications because visually-impaired users make up a fraction of their target market. The phones that are available also aren't distributed in all countries.
Before, a cellphone was little more than the equivalent of carrying a landline around.
Johan Grove
The Nuance Talks & Zooms software is only compatible with Symbian phones, mostly from Nokia, although the company's deal with Microsoft may see the software featuring on Windows Mobile phones in future, notes Grove.
There are other options, such as the SightSavers Dolphin Pen, a thumb drive loaded with screen magnification and reading software, as well as Braille support. It's specifically designed for developing countries and allows users to access PCs wherever they are.
Another is Code Factory's Mobile Speak, a phone app that reads out content using text-to-speech technology. It can also translate the on-screen display into Braille and is compatible with Symbian and Windows Mobile handsets.
The Oratio screen reader software has been released for BlackBerry users, although it's not available in SA because it's incompatible with South African handsets. On the iPhone 3, iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S, one can switch on the text-to-speech function from the standard menu, although Grove says the quality is not as good as specialised software.
Real products for real people
Vodacom introduced the speaking phones in 2004 as part of the general product pool. In May 2007, Karen Smit, currently product manager of specific needs, started taking over the portfolio to focus more actively on specific needs products.
“In those years we were just starting out with phones for the blind; we didn't have a bouquet of products. We were just coming into the market and wanted to see what the uptake would be.”
Smit, who is herself differently-abled, oversees the portfolio's strategy and researches products for other specific needs groups, such as the hearing-impaired and elderly.
“All the phones come preloaded with the text-to-speech software,” says Smit, “so when the customer takes the phone out of the box it starts talking to them immediately”.
Vodacom has subsidised the cost of the software so users aren't charged extra. She adds that consumers can buy the software from the supplier's Web site, but this is likely to cost them nearly double the amount, with programs retailing for around R2 000.
Vodacom is currently the only operator in SA offering phones for visually-impaired users, although MTN has a product for those with hearing difficulties.
Cell C, Virgin Mobile and 8ta don't have handsets for people with specific needs, but all three say they would like to introduce these in future. 8ta says it's researching handsets for the visually impaired.
MTN sells the HearIt Mobile Bluetooth accessory, a lightweight device that amplifies and transmits sound from the cellphone to the hearing aid telecoil or headphones via a neck loop.
One of the biggest barriers at the moment is the cost of the phones. Since the widely-used Nuance software is only compatible with certain Nokia phones, there are only three models available for visually-impaired users - the Nokia E66, C5 and N97 Mini. All three are smartphones, and range from R2 300 to R2 700 on the prepaid option.
“It's not a R500 phone because there are compatibility issues - you can only load the software on a high-end phone,” explains Smit. At present, sales stand at between 2 000 and 4 000 handsets a year.
She points out that many people with disabilities are unemployed, which makes cost an even greater barrier.
“The sad thing is that suppliers are all shouting accessibility, but you often discover small things where there are problems,” says Smit. “Accessing a certain file, for example, or even the general layout of a specific speaking phone.”
Grove explains that manufacturers wanting to use the software have to sign an agreement with Nuance, as loading third-party software onto a handset renders its warranty null and void without such an agreement.
For this reason, notes Smit, hardware and software developers need to speak to one another. “It's easy to put an accessibility statement on your Web site, but the products need to have real value for the user.”
She's passionate about bringing “real products” to customers with specific needs, rather than gimmicky functions that aren't user-friendly. “With our current speaking phones we work very closely with third-party suppliers because the software changes so fast and we can't always keep up with Nokia's upgrades.
“We have to maintain a relationship and discuss issues continuously if we want to walk the road together and bring real products to users - it requires team effort.”
The newer the tech, the less accessible it is to screen readers and screen magnification.
Johan Grove
According to Smit, Vodacom works closely with the South African National Council for the Blind (SANCB) before it goes ahead with a product, and considers the organisation an important guiding partner.
She adds that while “cellphones make everybody's lives easier”, they can have an even greater impact for those with specific needs. “Everything in a disabled person's life is a challenge, whether it's buying a new car or house or using public transport. Nothing comes easy.”
Part of the reason Smit is so driven to get these devices out to more people is because she's experienced the difference they make.
“I remember the first time we demonstrated the speaking phones to a group, showing them how it reads your SMSes out loud and so on, and it was just amazing seeing people's response at that moment. One lady said to me: 'Can you imagine the difference this makes in my life because someone else doesn't need to know what soap or toothpaste I use when I need to order something at the store.'
“It helps restore an individual's independence, dignity and privacy - which is what all of us as human beings want.”
Finding a voice
Some of the other products in Smit's portfolio are handsets for hearing-impaired and elderly users.
The ZTE S306 handset for older customers has a more legible keypad and simplified functionality, paring the phone down to a simple set of easy-to-access functions. It has bigger buttons, a loud ringtone and a one-touch SOS button that can be pre-programmed so the phone sends an SMS to a selected contact in an emergency situation.
The Bellen A100 phones allow hearing-impaired users to make and take phone calls via bone conductor technology. When placed on facial bones close to the ear, it sends sound waves to the inner ear. The phone also features an SOS button and can be integrated with any hearing aid supporting a telecoil function, which sends the sound directly from the user's phone to the hearing aid.
Smit says the Bellen A100 phone has been in the market for about a year and that sales have increased by 150%.
“When people with various disabilities start talking about a product in their communities, that's part of the success story for me.”
One such person is Irene Preston, call centre facilitator at SANCB's Optima school, where she's conducted telecoms and call centre training for partially sighted and blind students over the past 16 years.
For Preston, who also has macular degeneration, the speaking phones have made a huge difference - particularly in banking.
“To be independent, especially as a visually impaired person, feels good. It means a lot to know you're not dependent on anyone else - we're not ill, after all, it's just that our sight is affected.”
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