Mobile giant Vodacom has unveiled three "Vodacom Speaking Phones", as part of its drive to make cellular communication accessible to people who are blind or partially-sighted.
"Vodacom is proud to be the first operator in SA to increase accessibility to cellular communication products and services in line with our Specific Needs Initiative, launched in 2004," says chief communications officer Dot Field.
She explains that text-to-speech software is loaded onto the Vodacom Speaking Phones that converts the information displayed on the cellphone screen to speech, including text messages and contacts. This software also enables the user to check other information, including battery life and signal strength.
Speaking phones are available on Vodacom Contract, Top Up and Prepaid packages and are available at participating Vodacom approved outlets.
"Vodacom Speaking Phone users will not pay extra for the text-to-speech software as Vodacom has subsidised this cost," adds Field.
Vodacom will also continue to offer the "voice bill" service, which allows visually-impaired or blind customers access to their itemised billing electronically through reader software on their computers.
For more information on Vodacom Speaking Phones, customers can contact Vodacom's dedicated Specific Needs Contact Centre, which can be reached on 12580, free from a Vodacom cellphone, or on 082 12580 from any other phone (standard rates apply).
Customers can also send an SMS to 12580 (free from a Vodacom cellphone) or e-mail 12580@vodacom.co.za. Information is available on the Vodacom Web site www.vodacom.co.za, under the Specific Needs section.
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