AT&T finally offers iPhone plan for deaf and hard of hearing
14 comments
Filed in Apple, EDGE, Services
There has been a community of people clamoring for this for months now, but AT&T sure took its sweet time. Better late than never though, right? AT&T has just announced an iPhone plan tailored towards those that are deaf or hard of hearing. The TAP, or Text Accessibility Plan, will run you $40, and includes unlimited SMS and Data. Anyone looking to jump on board should activate their new iPhone as usual, fill out as application form on the AT&T website, and wait for approval. It’s a nice move, but considering that the company’s non-iPhone TAP plan is a mere $30, it seems a bit on the expensive side.
not bad for a phone that will now come with unlimited starbucks wifi. its pretty much a lock ATT will follow tmo and utilize IP for its voice infastructure.
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Why do the deaf and hard of hearing need an iPhone? Half of the device is that its an “IPOD” with the phone part built in. If your deaf or hard of hearing your not going to be listening to mp3’s. So why again would they want an iPhone? A big brick to text on?
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They say activate it as normal and submit an application for approval.
What happens if the application is denied? Then your stuck with a higher plan, and if you want to cancel you’ll be stuck with 10% restocking fee. That’s if they approve or deny the request within 14 days…
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Gary - The phone can be used for text messaging and instant messaging which has been a big advance in communication for the deaf. This is why the sidekicks have been so popular with the deaf/HOH. Along with the fact they can place relay calls thru AIM.
Mike, its doubtful the application would be denied if you submit it with a doctors note saying that you are indeed deaf/HOH.
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I still don’t get it. So you can’t apply for the plan unless ur deaf or hoh? Thats a bit out for those who prefer to text than call like myself. They should have a plan like this in the uk
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That’s not true, out unlimited data + unlimited text is 40 dollars a month. At least in the southeast it is…
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This is a great deal for some deaf, but the lack of a keyboard is a HUGE deal breaker for many deaf and hard-of-hearing. Plus with the new Blackberry 9000 coming out, I would say more deaf go for that than the iPhone. I’m an interpreter and have a few deaf family members and most have all switched from the Sidekick to the Blackberry.
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Not all of us who are hard of hearing, are completely deaf. I have about 20% of my hearing left in both ears. With the volume cranked all the way up, I can hear enough of my music on my iPhone to keep me happy.
I also use my phone for emails, web surfing and a boat load (800+ a month) text messaging. What I rarely use my phone for is talking on.
I use between 5-15 minutes a month. I’d rather spend under $10 a month for voice use, nstead of the $40 I’ve been paying!
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Gary-
You are a fool. Deaf people used text before all you hearing people even thought it was a great idea. We use web, gps, text, and watch youtube-
Not everything needs sound- reconsider how little you see things in your world where sound is everything to you and nothing else.
Q
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is there a way for CI user like me, to plug in the iphone to my machine so i can hear it, without using the head phones?
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Yoni — depends on which speech processor you are using. I am using the antiquated and now discontinued Spectra 22 processor and I am able to use a special cord from Cochlear to plug it into portable audio devices (read: iPod and probably the iPhone). The cords costs a bundle but can be found on http://www.cochlearamericas.com.
As for the TAP and teh iPhone — my biggest complaint is having to “fill out a form and wait”. You have to VERIFY you have hearing problems? That’s a joke. You can get data only plans from Verizon, T-Mobile and other carriers and not have to take an extra step in order to prove why you need this function… All while AT&T gets a month (or more, depending on their turn around / processing time of that submitted form) of standard charges while you only use a sliver of what you are being charged for.
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It’s because most deaf and hard of hearing people such as me want a better screen for the text calls and iphone is perfect for that. Blackberry is fuzzzy and their keyboard is hard to handle. the app’s are also fun.
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Don’t forget, you can watch video on the iPhone, too. So even if you are completely deaf, you can still rip your DVDs to mp4 or other file types with captions, can then have a movie ready for a long plane ride, etc. Also, the iPhone has tons of cool apps and games, etc. Se yes, a Deaf person can get as much benefit from the iPhone as hearing, almost, just not the same way.
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It still amazes me how naive people are about Deaf and HOH people. Assuming that just because we are deaf we cannot hear anything. The ONLY reason I have passed on the iphone is because there isn’t a keyboard. I currently have the Blackberry Curve which I love for that reason alone. Prior to this I had the LG dare for a short trial which I hated because of the touch screen. Its nice to see AT&T getting a plan like this though… =)
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