ThisWebsite has been produced to show how important it is for telephones to be designed so that they can be used by as many people as possible. In particular, this booklet aims to inform the companies that design, manufacture and sell telephones about the features that elderly and disabled people would find helpful. The need for a response This Website is also designed to inform regulators within Europe that if the competitive market does not deliver suitable equipment, the provision of appropriate telephone terminals may have to be underwritten by regulation. A typical example of the features outlined in this booklet is dial-out buffer memory. This feature can be very helpful to people who cannot dial quickly.
Many elderly people find it difficult to read a telephone number and dial it with speed.
With a dial-out buffer memory a person can carefully dial a number at their own speed, read it on a screen to check it is correct and when ready press 'dial'. This Website outlines 44 beneficial features such as this which could be selectively incorporated in domestic telephone terminals. The features are matched against disability groups with an explanation of the way the features can improve access. The authors wish to encourage manufacturers to make use of this publication when planning their own market surveys so that appropriate questions can be asked. The ultimate aim is to ensure that telephones are designed to be a convenient gateway to communications for as many people as possible.