Cell Phone Accessibility

What's New

Review of the LG VX8350

We have updated Section 3. Access for People Who Are Blind: Off-the-Shelf Phones vs. Third Party Software.

Please take a few minutes to complete our data form on accessibility of cell phone equipment and services. The information gathered from this form will not be used to file a complaint with the FCC but rather, as a part of our effort to improve cell phone accessibility. The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) would like to be able to share details about your accessibility concerns or experiences with cell phone manufacturers and service providers.

Cell phones have revolutionized life for most people, but for people with vision loss, finding a cell phone that they can use is nearly impossible. For example, features such as keys that can be identified by touch, displays that can be read by people with limited vision and phones with speech output for people who cannot read the phone's display are not widely available. Section 255 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 requires cell phones and phone services to be designed to be accessible for people with disabilities. However, far too many cell phone manufacturers and carriers are not taking seriously their accessibility obligation.

To focus attention on the need for cell phone accessibility, AFB has launched the Cell Phone Accessibility Project. Here you will find

• information about Section 255;
• what you should expect from a usable cell phone;
• information about available cell phones with features that make them more usable by people with vision loss;
• information about strategies that consumers can use to advocate for phones that meet their needs;

If you are not able to find a phone you can use you can file a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). We provide information about how to file a complaint with the FCC.

We will continue to update this page, so please include it in your favorites and also consider sending us an e-mail at 255action@afb.net.

Cell Phone Accessibility Overview

This cell phone accessibility overview was prepared by the AFB Technical Center in Huntington (AFBTECH) , WV.

Section 255 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996

Section 255: Resources

American Foundation for the Blind

Cell Phone Accessibility Expectations of Consumers with Vision Loss

AFB's Blog

People with vision loss can't use most cell phones. It's time to change that.
www.afb.org/blog/blog_comments.asp?TopicID=3002

More on AFB's Campaign to Make Cell Phones Accessible
www.afb.org/blog/blog_comments.asp?TopicID=3009

NY Times Helps Publicize Accessibility Issues
http://www.afb.org/blog/blog_comments.asp?TopicID=3051

Hope for iPhone Access!?
http://www.afb.org/blog/blog_comments.asp?TopicID=3030

This page was updated on October 31,2007.

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