Aussie Launch for Braille Mobile Phone

A braille mobile phone for people who are blind, which first launched in the UK earlier this year, is now available in Australia.

In May, telecommunications company OwnFone launched what it described as the world’s first commercially available Braille mobile phone in the UK.

“OwnFone UK, in consultation with the blind and low vision community, developed a simple mobile phone without a touchscreen and one that users can personalise with braille buttons,” the Australian Director of OwnFone, Brad Scoble, said.

“There are currently 35,000 people in Australia who are blind. Touchscreen technology is problematic for those Australians.

“The braille buttons are produced using 3D printing and customised for every customer, which makes OwnFone’s braille phone a world-first.”

Users in Australia can design their personalised braille phone on the OwnFone Australia website – www.ownfone.com.au. They will need to provide up to three contact names, which will automatically be converted into braille. These names are then printed on the front of the phone in braille.

“Smartphones are often too complicated, and in the case of people who are blind, not user-friendly,” Scoble said.

“Users can only make and receive phone calls, and Triple Zero (000) is always included as an option, in case of an emergency.”