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Topic Review (Newest First)

  • 10-25-2015, 07:27 AM
    Laurie Paolini
    I absolutely HATE jitterbug and cell phones for seniors. I am more than legally blind but I am NOT DEAF! I've been looking for a phone that has big buttons because of my RA and Fibromyalgia. When I bought the basic jitterbug at RiteAid I thought it was cool for all my medication refill reminders. I found out that my Medicare mail order prescription carrier called me for refill reminders. This was easier than the jitterbg. I also had to use it as a speakerphone on the lowest setting. The volume is just WAY too loud. I am blind but most certainly am NOT deaf. I returned it to RiteAid and got my money back.

    I have also struggled with the various appa on google play store. The best app I've found for my phone is Claria. You can change colors and font size. It also has voice activation. I deleted all the other apps from my phone because this is by far the BEST app for me.

    I use straighttalk which works through tracfone. If you're looking for a basic phone I suggest the flip phones and use the accessibility options. You can get them for about $30 at walmart and I think you can still install Claria on it if the accessibility options aren't good enough.

    I need a phone whose buttons are more tactile. I need each button separated and easy to push for when my RA and Fibromyalgia flare. I'm a stickler for privacy so I prefer not to use speech to text options for texting. It's not that I have anything to hide but my teenage daughters don't need to hear every conversation I have with people.

    I also emailed straighttalk about assistance with a phone designed for the blind. Their response was to contact tracfone and they would do their best to equip a phone with my personal needs. I haven't contacted them mainly because I can only afford an inexpensive phone and I'm concerned that they may want to charge a lot of extra money for a basic phone designed for me. After much reseach I've found several people looking for the same kind of phone as me. I guess if I do make arrangements with tracfone I could offer help for tye blind community as a whole not just for myself. I will certainly reconsider my decision.

    Someone on here mentioned the Odin VI. I'd LOVE to try it but my wallet just can't afford $200 for a phone. I've tried buying a Kevenz phone or various big button phones on eBay but someone keeps outbidding me.

    Also keep in mind that if you're buying something for the blind to use you can request shipping as "FREE MATTER FOR THE BLIND AND HANDICAPPED". If you order a phone be sure to request this method for shipment. It's sent through the USPS. Check into it on the FAB website. (This is only available in the US.) Some sellers are willing to use this method, others aren't. It never hurts to ask.

    I hope my response here helps at least one person. I'll check back if I contact tracfone and let y'all know what I learned.

    God bless!
    Leena
  • 10-15-2015, 07:07 AM
    yaya43
    For the visually impaired, you can get the Odin VI unlocked for about $200. It's a GSM cell phone or you can go to Jitterbug which create easy to view cell phones accessible to the visually impaired and is one of the best cell phones for seniors providers.
  • 10-13-2014, 07:42 PM
    tavenger5
    Tracfone offers both CDMA and GSM phones, and I think it sometimes depends on where you live to be able to use one or the other. So, it may be up to them what phones they will activate. BYOP and switch to TracFone Today | Bring Your Own Phone | TracFone Wireless

    For the phone, I don't think any phone are ever just left in a voice recognition mode. It has to be activated. However, there is software available for both iPhones and Android phones for visual impairment. For example, for Android phones there is Google Talkback..

    Here's a list of apps that are available: Best Android apps for the blind and visually impaired - Android Authority

    There are lots of simpler and cheaper Android phones out there that will be able to run this software. It may be easier than trying to find another phone that is compatible with Tracfone and can do what you need.
  • 10-13-2014, 04:54 PM
    aws1008
    I've seen on Straight Talk that you can bring your own phone, but I didn't see it on TracFone's site. I currently have TracFone for myself and my husband is legally blind. Wanted to get him a phone for traveling and join it with my plan. He would need a phone that could be left in voice recognition mode or voice activated OR a really simple phone like a Jitterbug with the big numbers. Any ideas? I'm tech-savvy enough to be able to work them, but not enough to know what is available and who makes what how well!
  • 10-13-2014, 04:22 PM
    tavenger5
    Are you looking for something simple or a smartphone? You don't necessarily have to get a phone from the provider, but could purchase a phone and use it with tracfone or any other pre-paid service as long as they have a bring your own phone program (most do).
  • 10-13-2014, 01:46 PM
    aws1008
    I am looking for the best cell phones with voice recognition for the visually impaired. Are there any that Tracfone carries? This would not be used much, so I don't want one that comes with a contract or alot of minutes or data I don't need. Appreciate all reccomendations!

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