Making Telephone Use and Writing Easier
A number of services and resources are available to make it easier to read, write and use the telephone and computer.
Telephone Services
- Register
for your phone company's services and programs for customers with
special needs, including large-print or braille billing statements. In
some areas, people with special needs may receive directory exemption
and operator assistance.
Directory exemption provides information free-of-charge when calling from your home. With operator assistance, an operator provides dialing assistance at no additional charge. Contact your local telephone company for registration forms and additional information.
- Obtain large-print number templates, which fit on top of your
existing telephone, from either your phone company or a commercial
source.
- Memorize the location of each number on your phone using the three-finger method for push-button dialing:
Place your index, middle and ring fingers on the second row of the dial pad (numbers 4, 5, 6). This is the "home row." Your index finger can reach easily up to 1 or down to 7; your middle finger can reach up to 2 and down to 8 and 0; and your ring finger can reach up to 3 and down to 9. To locate the home row more quickly, put a locator dot, a piece of tape or other marker, on the 5 button (phones manufactured after 1990 will already have a locater dot).
- Invest in a telephone with a memory system, which enables you
to dial a complete phone number by pressing only one button. Program
local emergency numbers. And find out if your local phone company
offers voice-activated dialing, talking caller ID or other services to
make phone usage easier. Remember that these options carry additional
costs.
- If you have some remaining sight, always keep a low vision
device, such as a magnifier, by the phone so you can quickly read and
write phone numbers and messages.
- Keep your phone list organized in a memo pad, notebook, file
card box or on cassette. Whichever method you employ, be sure to keep
the numbers in a handy place near the telephone.
- If you can read large print, use a wide-tipped black marker on white paper to capture phone numbers. Or, buy a large-print address/telephone book.
Writing Your Signature
- Continue to use your signature, as it's unique to you.
- Use
a signature guide. This template, which has a rectangular opening, is
placed over the spot where your signature is needed. You just sign
within that opening.
If you're not using a signature guide and need to locate the proper place to sign, ask someone to make a fold, which you can feel as a ridge along the signature line. Alternatively, you can use a Post-it note or index card to define the writing line. Or, have someone place the index finger of your free hand at the beginning of the signature line, then sign your name to the right of your finger.
- If you have low vision, the signature line can be enlarged with a dark, bold-tip pen.
Writing Letters
- Use bold-lined paper and felt-tip or wide marker pens if you have
low vision. There are many styles of pens; find the one that works best
for you.
- Place writing paper on a contrasting surface, such as a dark table or place mat, to make it easier to see paper edges.
- Use a letter-writing guide. When placed over plain paper, the guide ensures that the lines you write won't overlap.
- Contact your local post office to learn about postal privileges. If you meet the legal requirements, you can obtain special mailing containers for cassettes and a "Free Matter for the Blind" stamp.
Take Note
Many people who lose vision later in life are just beginning to cope with the necessary life adjustments. As a result, they may choose communication methods other than braille: large print, assistive devices, auditory equipment or a combination. Braille, however, is an important mode of communication.
Many people of all ages successfully learn to use braille for everyday tasks. If you're interested, vision rehabilitation teachers are trained in tactile skill development and the various levels of braille code.