Meeting the needs of older and disabled consumers
Guidelines for product design and testing (view report contents)

TELEPHONES CHECKLIST

Types

This checklist is for use with fixed telephones and lists basic usability considerations that will make them easier to use by older people and people with disabilities. Extensive work has been done on the accessibility of telecommunications by the European COST 219bis project.

Detailed guidance on all types of telephone, their design and how it can address the needs of disabled people is given at www.tiresias.org/phoneability/telephones.

Features

Many standard telephones have a range of features, some of which are particularly useful to older and disabled people:

Hands-free to speak and listen without lifting the handset

On-hook dialling to dial without lifting the handset

Digital display as a minimum shows the numbers dialled

Caller display shows the number of the caller

Memories dial programmed numbers with one or two buttons only

Last number redial press a button to dial the last number called

Volume control for listening caller’s voice can be adjusted

Volume control for speaking speaker’s voice can be adjusted

Inductive coupler produces a signal that can be picked up by a setting available on many hearing aids, enabling the wearer to hear the caller’s voice without distracting sounds

Ringer volume control - the telephone can be adjusted to ring louder or quieter

Ringer tone control - the sound of the ringer can be adjusted

Visual call indicator
a light or symbol that shows the phone is ringing

Raised dot on 5
helps visually impaired people to find their way round the keypad

Sockets so additional equipment can be connected
eg earphone, headset, computer

Handset

Shape and size make handset easy to lift from telephone base

Shape and size of the handset provide a good gripping area

Handset is well balanced in use

Handset can be replaced securely in its rest

Keypad

Keys are well spaced
cramped keys are difficult for those with limited dexterity

Shape and size of keys provide good gripping area

Keys require little force to operate

Keys have a positive feel
so it is clear that pressed keys have registered

Numbers and symbols are large for easy viewing

Numbers and symbols are strongly colour contrasted against their
background

Raised dot on the 5 key is easy to feel

Digital display
where available

brightly lit display

displayed digits are large and clear

all markings and labelling are large for easy viewing

all markings and labelling strongly colour contrasted against their
background

displayed information is easy to understand

Feature keys and adjustments

write in functions eg volume control, tone control, programming memory keys across the top of the boxes

c c c c	all controls and keys are easily accessible
c c c c	all controls are well spaced
c c c c	all controls provide good grip
c c c c	all controls require little force to use/adjust
c c c c	all markings and labelling are large for easy viewing
c c c c	all markings and labelling strongly colour contrasted against their background

Instructions

paper is matt or with slight sheen
glossy paper reflects light - difficult to read from

written in simple language, no technical terms

clear and logical layout
main printed text in minimum 12 point size

printed text in sans-serif typeface

large print version available on request
minimum 14 point type throughout
audio tape and/or braille version available on request

Report Contents

Introduction
Why design for all is important
Using research to identify needs - the basic toolkit
Product group checklists

The practical principles of design for all
What can be done to raise awareness
Useful contacts

Meeting the needs of older and disabled consumers Guidelines for product design and testing (view report contents)