Motorola will launch special mobile phones for blinds in 2010

The National Federation of the Blind in association with Motorola Inc., a leading manufacturer of cell phones and other mobile communications devices, announced the partnership to promote technologies that improve the accessibility of cell phones to blind consumers.  

Thus, certain versions of Motorola mobile phones will be equipped with the special features that provide verbal readouts of information such as the time and date, battery level, signal strength, user's phone number, caller ID information for incoming calls, missed and received calls, and voice mail alerts.

Besides, blind people will also be able to use verbal readouts and voice-command features for ring tone status, inputting and accessing contacts, and various other settings. According to Motorola’s plans these devices may be expected in 2010. The parties have also agreed to work together to make additional phones and features accessible to blind users.

Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: "In an age where productivity and success increasingly depend on access to mobile technology such as cellular telephones, it is critical that blind Americans have equal access to today's cell phones through user interfaces that do not require vision. The National Federation of the Blind appreciates Motorola's commitment to making the features of its cell phone products accessible to blind users without the need for third-party software, and we look forward to working together with Motorola to make future improvements to the accessibility of telecommunication technology."