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Using the Telephone

Dialling the telephone, reading and recording phone numbers can be difficult for people who are blind or vision impaired. This fact sheet helps with using the telephone in a variety of situations.


Modifying lighting

Use an adjustable lamp (positioned within 15cm from the phone) to see the numbers clearly on your phone.


Large number stickers

High contrast large print number stickers can be placed on push button phones for
easy identification. These are available from Vision Australia.


Larger button phones


Audioline Phone Easy

This phone has large black buttons with white numbers and there is a raised dot on number five. There are three different types of ring tones and the phone has volume control for voices. The phone can hold up to thirteen phone numbers in memory.


Telstra Touchphone 400

This phone has the standard layout of push button phones, however it has a redial button function so if a number is engaged or not answering it can be dialled later without having to press all the numbers. The phone has eight memory buttons and good colour contrast. A corresponding Large Print Memory sheet can be obtained free of charge from Telstra. Enter the names with a thick black text marker to be recorded. You may have to put initials rather than full names into the allotted space.


Telstra standard rental phone - T1000S

It has oval shaped keypad buttons with spacing to assist in dialling numbers.


Other features include:

Easy Read Number stickers and large print instructions for these phones are available from Telstra (Disability Equipment Program 1800 068 424) or Vision Australia.


Learning the layout of your phone

If you are unable to see the numbers on large button phones you may wish to use a standard phone layout. The diagram below shows the number layout of a standard push button phone.

Standard phone layout

There are different methods to learn the layout of a phone. The following method uses number five as a starting point. On many phones the number five button has a built in raised dot.


Steps to follow:

Diagram depicting the layout of odd numbers which is shaped like the letter x

Diagram depicting the layout of the even numbers which is shaped like a plus sign

Some people prefer to learn the layout of a phone using a bright or raised marker over number one. Use what is best for you. Don't be afraid to make a few mistakes along the way. Practise will give you more confidence.


Leaving the phone off the hook

To prevent leaving the phone off the hook when hanging up, hold the receiver in one hand and find the recess for it with your other hand. Don't take your hand away from the phone until the receiver has been successfully replaced.


Accessing and recording phone numbers


Memory buttons

Techniques for assisting you to remember frequently used phone numbers in the memory include using:


Finding numbers


Directory Assistance Disability Helpline (DADH).

This service connects registered users to an operator who will read out phone numbers. This service applies only to the white pages directory. To register, call 1800 068 424 and you will be given a special directory assistance number to call. You may like to program this number into a phone memory button.

Telstra's no-cost ordinary white pages directory assistance number is 1223.


Yellow Pages Directory Assistance.

Dial 12451, which is a local call cost. The operator will provide you with the numbers of two businesses in the trading and geographic areas you specify.

When using directory assistance, remember to have a black text marker and a piece of paper or a cassette handy to record the information.


Call Connect.

This service will connect you to the required number for a fee plus call cost. Dial 12456. People who are vision impaired are not eligible for exemption from the fees. However you may be able to obtain an exemption if you have difficulty with hand dialling and are vision impaired. Call Telstra Disability Helpline on 1800 068 424. You may wish program the Call Connect number into a memory button.


OPTUS

Optus charges for directory assistance but if you are blind or vision impaired, you will be able to register and be exempt from the charge. To register call the Optus Customer line on 133066.


Other Telstra Services


Telstra Home Messages 101

This is a message service from Telstra that has no access or usage charges. To activate the message service, dial 101 on your home phone and follow the voice prompts.


Telstra Delayed Hotline Service

This enables a person to make a phone call without dialing a number or pressing a memory button. The person simply picks up the phone and waits 15 seconds and is put through to a pre-selected phone number (i.e. family member). There is a charge for this service, which is available to Telstra customers only. To activate the Delayed Hotline simply:

  1. Lift handset and dial *53.
  2. Enter the number you want to pre-select and press #.
  3. Replace handset.

Contact us

Call: 1300 84 74 66
TTY: 02 9334 3260
Fax: 02 9747 5993
Website: www.visionaustralia.org

Street Address (State Head Offices)
NSW and ACT: 4 Mitchell Street, Enfield NSW 2136
Queensland: 373 Old Cleveland Road, Coorparoo Qld 4151
Victoria: 454 Glenferrie Road, Kooyong Vic 3144

Vision Australia is a living partnership between people who are blind, sighted or have low vision. We are united by our passion that in the future people who are blind or have low vision will have access to and fully participate in every part of life they choose.


This page last updated: 20 February 2007

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