June 24, 2009 12:47 PMAustralia Launches Global Info Service For Disabled
By: Ramjit
CANBERRA, June 24 (Bernama) -- A global information service to help people with disabilities find the right mobile phone for their needs is launched here on Wednesday, reports China's Xinhua news agency.
The Global Accessibility Reporting Initiative includes a database that will be used by manufacturers worldwide to provide information on features of various mobile phone models.
Australian Communications Minister Stephen Conroy said the government had identified that a lack of information was a significant barrier to access to telecommunications products and services.
"The Rudd government has made it a priority to improve the accessibility of communications services and this industry initiative fits well with our efforts in this area," he said.
A website has also been launched to provide consumers around the world with access to information on various phone models and details about functions appropriate to their requirements.
The website provides advice on the best phones for people with disabilities affecting: hearing, vision, speech, dexterity and cognition.It reveals that even the shape of a phone can be important.
For people with limited vision or blindness, a phone that flips open and answers automatically is best.
However, for those with arthritis or poor dexterity a candy bar or bloc phone avoids the need for added movements like sliding or flipping open.
For people with hearing loss a touch phone or smartscreen is useful because the larger screen sizes are best for texting or video calling.
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