Recommended features for users who have a speech and language impairment

This is a list of features which may help you use your phone if you have a speech or language impairment. These features are available on many BT and non-BT products.

Caller Display
Call screening
Hands-free
Pre-recorded greeting
Memory
Outgoing speech amplification
Pre-dial
SMS/ Texting
Textphone Communication
Video-telephony
VIP Ringer
Voice Prompts

Caller Display

If your speech or language impairment, makes it difficult for you to communicate over the phone, Caller Display lets you see the number of the person who is calling you, so you can choose not to answer if you do not recognise the phone number.

Call Screening

If your speech or language impairment, makes it difficult for you to communicate over the phone, let your answering machine answer your calls. You can then listen to who is calling and, if you do not recognise the voice decide not to speak to them.

Hands-free

If you use a Communication Aid such as a "Light-writer", consider choosing a phone with hands-free operation. This will include a small microphone so the person on the other end of the phone will be able to hear what you are saying through your communication aid.

Pre-Recorded greeting

If your speech is sometimes difficult to understand you can use the pre-recorded greeting.

Memory

If you have difficulty recognising numbers a phone with a memory will record the phone numbers of the people you call most often. Look out for phones with "One-Touch" memory which means you only have to press one button to call your friends or relatives. To help you remember which phone numbers are in the memory some phones include a space for you to put a photograph or picture of your friend or relative.

Outgoing speech amplification

If you have a quiet or a weak voice, this will increase the volume so that the person you are calling can hear you better.

Pre-Dial

If you have a speech and language disorder which makes it difficult for you to recognise phone numbers, pre-dial lets you dial and check the number before actually making your phone call.

SMS/ Texting

If you have difficulty communicating over the phone some corded and cordless fixed-line phones, as well as mobile phones let you send short text messages. You can only send SMS text messages to people who are using phones that receive SMS.

Textphone Communication

If you have difficulty communicating over the phone a textphone lets you type a conversation. More information on Textphone Communication can be found in our Textphone section.

Video-telephony

People who communicate using a sign language such as British Sign Language (BSL) or Makaton can keep in touch with friends and family via video. Some phones include a small screen or you can also use a computer and a small camera (web cam) to communicate. Visit our Computing section for information about webcams.

VIP Ringer

If your speech and language impairment means that only people you know very well can speak to you over the phone, you could choose to store the number of a family member or close friend under the VIP ringer option. When this person calls, the phone will ring in a different way so you know who the call is from.

Voice Prompts

If you have difficulty reading printed information look out for phones that include voice prompts. This means you will hear instructions for setting up your phone.