A cell phone for the visually impaired

Indian mobile manufacturer Intex has launched the Intex Vision, a mobile phone for the visually impaired. The phone was unveiled by the National Association for the Blind (NAB) to its students and faculty.

The phone features a large keypad with numbers written in Braille to assist the recognition of digits. For those who do not read Braille, the phone can speak out the numbers in English at the press of a button. An SOS feature allows calls to one of four preset emergency numbers.

Other features include wireless FM radio, audio player, expandable memory up to 2 GB, torch light, auto call record, mobile tracker, a phone and SMS memory of 1000 contacts and 250 messages respectively.

The phone has been met with a very positive response from the visually impaired community. "Blindness is a disability which could be overcome with training and guidance. The INTEX Vision phone is an ideal tool for the visually impaired people to satisfy their communication needs. It can play a very useful role in their integrated development" said Mr. Mohinder Kapur, President, National Association for the Blind.

The phone will be available at a street price of Rs. 2,600.