Well, it appears the old cliche applies one more time. I just called
the number given in the following message, and this is what I was told.
First, the following does not apply to the IPhone at all, one must buy a
data plan for the IPhone. Apparently, for the android phones, and
blackberries, one can apply for this exemption, but it does not mean one
can get free data. Under normal circumstances, one has to buy a minimum
data plan, even if they are not going to use it, just to get one of
these devices. This exemption will allow the device to be used for phone
calls, maybe texting (I am not sure about texting), but not for data,
meaning the web and email. I can't imagine why one would want a smart
phone if they weren't going to use it for the web and email, being that
now some companies are offering unlimited text and phone calls for cheap
prices, using a regular phone. Apparently, their data networks are
being overwhelmed by smart phones, and they want people to buy and use
the simple phones for texting and phone calls. Oh well, I hoped.
Arnold Schmidt
----- Original Message ----- From: "Eric Caron" <ecar...@comcast.net>
To: <viphone@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, June 03, 2012 11:33 AM
Subject: Re: new to the group and some questions
Hello Arnold,
If the price of the data plan is the only thing keeping you from getting
the iPhone you may want to consider asking for a waiver. AT ant T
allows Blind users in the US to fill out a application that allows for
certain services. One is free information. Another is exemption from
the data plan.
I don't know if other service providers have a option like this for
blind users.
I am using the free information service. I did not use it often as I
preferred Bing 411. However, Bing 411 is ending at the end of june so
I'm glad I have the AT and T information option in place and ready to
use. It works very similar to the Bing 411 service, even the same voice,
but an operator takes over if there is a need.
The application process is a bit tedious and takes time to complete and
requires a doctor's portion to be completed.
I think the phone number to call AT And T for a application is: 1 866
241 6568
eric Caron
On Jun 3, 2012, at 6:30 AM, Arnold Schmidt wrote:
I am even newer than you, in that my subscription was approved only
hours ago. Also, I do not have an IPhone yet. The idea of getting
one greatly appeals to me, but if I do not, it will be for the same
reason that I have not gotten one so far, I am too cheap to want to
pay that hundred dollars a month after month, after month after month
to the phone carrier. However, I know I would love my IPhone and would
probably not mind that charge too much, considering the benefits to me.
One thing that has me excited again about getting one is the book,
published by National Braille Press. Getting Started with the iPhone
and iOs5 for Blind Users, by
Anna Dresner with Dean Martineau. I have purchased this book, and
am reading through it. I do recommend this book for new users.
According to it, one can set up their IPhone independently, so long as
they have ITunes on their computer, with One caveat. There are some
things one has to enter onto their phone itself, so one will have to
type on it very early in the game, as it were. As long as one feels
confident to do this typing, it can be set up independently.
The link to the aforementioned book is
http://www.nap.org/ic/nap/IPHONE-IOS5.html
It is $22, and can be had in hardcopy braille, as a brf file, or as a
daisy audio file, read by a pretty good synthesizer, I do not know
which one.
Arnold Schmidt
----- Original Message ----- From: "Rebecca Ilniski" <rilni...@gmail.com>
To: <viphone@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, June 03, 2012 3:31 AM
Subject: new to the group and some questions
Hi all. I'm new to the group and have some questions. I'm going to
be upgrading on 5/5/12. I have some questions and will post them here.
1. I have decided to get the iphone 4s and will be ordering that on
Tuesday. First question did you get your i phone online or at the
apple store? I can go to verizon and get it but wonder if they will
be more helpful at apple and can they help with things like porting
your number over from the old phone to the new? Did you order yours
online or go to the store? if you ordered it directly from your cell
provider can you set it up independently or did you have to go to the
store to get help?
2. Do you use a bluetooth keyboard with yours or just the i phone?
3. What podcasts are out there for the iphone 4s? Is there a good
resource for learning the gestures and using the flat screen?
4. How many gigs would you recommend? I don't plan to watch a lot of
movies, download videos and mainly want to use my phone for calls,
facebooking, and twitters? Maybe here or there a video but I don't
plan to go overboard. I have wifi here at home and plan to use
that. When I'm away is it easy to use your data plan if there aren't
any wifi connections available especially if i"m on a bus or something?
Thanks for answering all of my questions. I'm sure I will have more
as I go along.
--
Rebecca and Zeb
email: rilni...@gmail.com
facebook: facebook.com/rebeccai5
Zeb's facebook: facebook.com/zeb.ilniski
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