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Accessibility options explored during cell phone seminar for blind/visually impaired
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Shoshana Hebshi
April 20, 2011 515-281-1338
COUNCIL BLUFFS—Accessible technology experts from the Iowa Department for the Blind are hosting a free, day-long seminar Tuesday, April 26 at the Council Bluffs Library, 400 Willow St., to help orient blind and visually impaired residents with accessibility features of cellular phones and smart phones. The seminar begins at 10 a.m.
Participants in the seminar will receive hands-on instruction on the capabilities of several models of phones, including the iPhone, the Samsung Haven, the HTC Ozone and the Motorola Quantico.
Curtis Chong, program administrator for the assistive technology program at the IDB, said this seminar is filling a need for people in the community who are either not trained in how to use the non-visual technology on their phones or don’t know it exists.
“The unfortunate reality is that while cell phone and smart phone use may be popular and ubiquitous for everybody else, it is still far out of reach for people who happen to be blind or visually impaired,” he said. “This is because cell phones that are fully nonvisually accessible are not readily available through most cell phone providers, and even if one can be found, the cost of such a phone is typically well above that which is paid by most people. On a positive note, however, nonvisually-accessible cell phones are becoming more prominent and available in today's cell phone marketplace.”
Beside personal instruction and guidance on several phone models and service providers, participants in the seminar will receive a handbook describing various phone models and assistive technology and a box lunch. Advance registration is required.
For more information about the seminar or the Iowa Department for the Blind, contact Shoshana Hebshi, communications specialist, at (515) 281-1338 or Shoshana.Hebshi@blind.state.ia.us.
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