You are in:
New phone makes it easier for blind people to make calls
Social inclusion and independence is the key behind a new telephone that makes it easier for blind and partially sighted people to make calls.
The new Geemarc BDP400 landline telephone was developed with RNIB, the leading charity supporting blind and partially sighted people. It is the world's first fully vocalised amplified telephone that announces the name of the buttons the user has pressed.
The phone also announces the date, time and memories to allow the user to hear the name of a caller and when a call was received.
The large LCD screen displays the number being called and received enabling partially sighted users to read and confirm the number they want to dial.
There are around 1.8 million blind and partially-sighted people in the UK and Geemarc expects to sell 150,000 units and raise £150,000 for RNIB in the process. Proceeds of £1 per unit will be donated to RNIB.
Andrew Grossman, managing director of Geemarc, a UK company that specialises in making phones for blind and deaf people, said:
"This product has been developed with RNIB to improve the user experience and to enable blind and partially sighted people to live independently. It's a huge step forward in terms of assisted technology. We've worked with blind and partially sighted people to develop the phone in line with their needs.
"We are proud to have developed this with RNIB and are very thankful for their help and support throughout."
Sandra Taylor, Senior Products and Sales Manager, RNIB, said:
"We realised there was a gap in the market for an accessible landline telephone for blind and partially sighted people. It was also important to involve customers throughout the development to get their feedback, ensuring the final product met their needs."
"It has been terrific working with Geemarc to create a product that really delivers. Customers have already commented on the fact the phone has provided them with more independence due to advances in the functionality."
The BDP400 is also compatible for use with hearing aids and can be amplified up to 40dB. It has a powerful hands-free speakerphone, visual strobe light for alerting incoming calls and tone adjustment. Large print user instructions are supplied as standard, and if you purchase the phone through RNIB, braille and audio CD instructions are also available from them.
