An Accessible, Pricey Answer: A Review of the Mobile Phone Organizer
By Denham, Jim; Access World, Vol. 5, No. 3Publication Date: May 2004
Article evaluates ALVA’s Mobile Phone Organizer (MPO), also called the Braille MPO Model 5500, which is the first combination personal digital assistant and telephone that has been specifically designed for people who are blind or have low vision. The device allows the user to make and receive calls, compose and receive text messages, edit notes, and manage contacts. The device is evaluated according to the following features and criteria: (1) speech output, (2) navigating the menus, (3) switching the phone, (4) making a call, (5) text messaging, (6) notes, (7) contact manager, (8) appointment manager, (9) Braille access, (10) connecting to other computers, and (11) phone coverage. The authors were very pleased with the ALVA MPO. The phone and text messaging applications provide users who are blind or have low vision with access to features that sighted individuals have had access to for years. The ability to hear current provider status and elapsed call time are functions that have only recently been added to a few high-end mainstream cellular phones. Having information on a refreshable Braille display is a very unique feature. Since the ALVA MPO is a new product, a few drawbacks were noted. For example, the authors were disappointed with the lack of support for contracted, and the high cost could pose a problem for many users. The authors ultimately recommend the ALVA MPO when considering the device’s unique accessibility features.
Assistive Products Discussed: MOBILE PHONE ORGANIZER (MODEL MPO 5500)
Published by: AFB Press (Website:http://www.afb.org/Section.asp?SectionID=46)
American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) (Web Site: http://www.afb.org )
Link to text: http://www.afb.org/afbpress/pub.asp?DocID=aw050305
