DavidDB
Lurker
32 Million Deaf and Hard of Hearing Phone users in Massive Mobile Network Rip Off Scandal
This would indeed make top headlines in every national and local newspaper and have mobile CEOs heading for the bunkers if these users had a voice, but year in year out the deaf community around the world have put up with the situation.
In my case I have had a mobile since the days when a mobile was the size of a car battery. and every month I have paid out a portion of my bill for calls - they have been described as "Talk Time" - Bundled Minutes. And while most plans offer more and more of them there is no such thing as free.
Over the years My landline and Mobile Minutes have cost me thousands of pounds.
I cannot use them - I dont want them - but it seems I have no choice
I have written to every European Network operator - Members of parliament - Regulators - and virtual networks. Mostly Im ignored or referred to some web page insisting that "We have a commitment to disabled customers" blurb.
You would think that at least 1 clever network would seize upon the opportunity of reaching this vast demographic? 9 million Deaf/HOH users in the UK alone.
Now some people have suggested we don't NEED a phone - But its Not true I can for example Speak into a phone for 911/999 calls for an ambulance - Fire - or relay a voice message to my family - or indeed get a friend to make a call on my behalf, but the number of times I do this adds up to less than 5 mins a month.
Facebook - GTalk - Gmail - MSN Messenger all provide my links to the hearing world, SMS is way less important than it was even 5 years ago and becoming less relevant with each passing day.
ANDROID is the PERFECT PLATFORM for me and millions like me - Choose my contact and I can see instantly the best method to get my message across.
Can You Help Me?
If your working for a Network or checking new price plans Please ASK (on behalf of a friend) if they offer a "DEAF TARIFF" and if not Why Not.
Please Mention some of the facts above on your Blogs
Pester your own networks - Please Give a voice to people that don't have one.
Together we could change the world - Remember that many deaf HOH members of our community are often the lowest paid - They can least afford to subsidise your voice calls.
Android DEVELOPERS!!
Can You think how useful a real Time SUBTITLED world could be if your out and about?
Imagine being out Shopping or with a group of friends the isolation you feel if everyone Gets a joke except you - because you missed a punchline / or you sign up for a service but incorrectly miss read someone's lips.
ANDROID has all the tools ready to put together a reasonably reliable real time subtitling machine.
Noise cancelling microphones - "Speak now" Search Prompt etc we are almost there....
Thanks you for taking the time to read this
David
This would indeed make top headlines in every national and local newspaper and have mobile CEOs heading for the bunkers if these users had a voice, but year in year out the deaf community around the world have put up with the situation.
In my case I have had a mobile since the days when a mobile was the size of a car battery. and every month I have paid out a portion of my bill for calls - they have been described as "Talk Time" - Bundled Minutes. And while most plans offer more and more of them there is no such thing as free.
Over the years My landline and Mobile Minutes have cost me thousands of pounds.
I cannot use them - I dont want them - but it seems I have no choice
I have written to every European Network operator - Members of parliament - Regulators - and virtual networks. Mostly Im ignored or referred to some web page insisting that "We have a commitment to disabled customers" blurb.
You would think that at least 1 clever network would seize upon the opportunity of reaching this vast demographic? 9 million Deaf/HOH users in the UK alone.
Now some people have suggested we don't NEED a phone - But its Not true I can for example Speak into a phone for 911/999 calls for an ambulance - Fire - or relay a voice message to my family - or indeed get a friend to make a call on my behalf, but the number of times I do this adds up to less than 5 mins a month.
Facebook - GTalk - Gmail - MSN Messenger all provide my links to the hearing world, SMS is way less important than it was even 5 years ago and becoming less relevant with each passing day.
ANDROID is the PERFECT PLATFORM for me and millions like me - Choose my contact and I can see instantly the best method to get my message across.
Can You Help Me?
If your working for a Network or checking new price plans Please ASK (on behalf of a friend) if they offer a "DEAF TARIFF" and if not Why Not.
Please Mention some of the facts above on your Blogs
Pester your own networks - Please Give a voice to people that don't have one.
Together we could change the world - Remember that many deaf HOH members of our community are often the lowest paid - They can least afford to subsidise your voice calls.
Android DEVELOPERS!!
Can You think how useful a real Time SUBTITLED world could be if your out and about?
Imagine being out Shopping or with a group of friends the isolation you feel if everyone Gets a joke except you - because you missed a punchline / or you sign up for a service but incorrectly miss read someone's lips.
ANDROID has all the tools ready to put together a reasonably reliable real time subtitling machine.
Noise cancelling microphones - "Speak now" Search Prompt etc we are almost there....
Thanks you for taking the time to read this
David
