so If I want an accessible verizon phone, I have no choice.  That's  
too bad.

On Mar 12, 2009, at 10:10 AM, Peter Altschul wrote:

-----Original Message-----
From: Eric Bridges [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Thursday, March 12, 2009 8:59 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [leadership] Press Release: TALKS FOR VERIZON WIRELESS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                         MEDIA CONTACT:

March 12, 2009
Brenda Boyd Raney


Verizon Wireless


908.559.7518


[log in to unmask]




TALKS For VERIZON WIRELESS offers mobile acceSsibility to BLIND AND  
VISUALLY
IMPAIRED CUSTOMERS



Available Initially on the MOTO Q 9c, TALKS for Verizon Wireless Gives  
Blind
and Visually Impaired Customers Audio Feedback Support for Writing and
Reading Text Messages, E-Mail and Notes



BASKING RIDGE, N.J. - The owner and operator of the nation's most  
reliable
wireless network announced today the availability of TALKST for Verizon
Wireless - a new assistive technology that converts displayed text into
highly intelligible speech for Verizon Wireless customers who are  
blind or
visually impaired.  Available initially on MOTOT Q 9c smartphones  
beginning
March 15, TALKS for Verizon Wireless supports audio feedback for  
writing and
reading text messages, e-mail and notes.

Powered by Nuance Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: NUAN), TALKS for Verizon
Wireless uses ETI-Eloquence text-to-speech software - similar to other
screen-reading packages on WindowsR PC platforms - to offer visually
impaired and blind customers instant familiarity and the highest
intelligibility.  With the TALKS application, the MOTO Q 9c from Verizon
Wireless can:

*         Read the caller ID of an incoming call

*         Dial a number from the phone's Contacts directory

*         Add and edit entries in the Contacts directory

*         Read and write text messages and e-mail

*         Read and write documents using Mobile Office

*         Access and compose multimedia message service (MMS) messages

*         Use Mobile Internet Explorer to access the Internet

*         Control speech volume and rate of speech



"The TALKS application helps Verizon Wireless provide the best wireless
experience for our customers who are visually impaired," said Jeffrey
Dietel, vice president - marketing operations for Verizon Wireless.  
"TALKS
for Verizon Wireless turns the MOTO Q 9c smartphone into a  
communications
tool that will help customers with impaired vision stay connected to  
family,
friends and colleagues through methods beyond voice calls."

The MOTO Q 9c with TALKS for Verizon Wireless will be available online  
at
www.verizonwireless.com on Sunday for $249.99 after a $70 online instant
rebate with a new two-year customer agreement.  Existing MOTO Q 9c  
customers
who wish to add the TALKS application should contact Verizon Wireless
Customer Service at 800-922-0204.

Customers can learn more about TALKS for Verizon Wireless by visiting
www.verizonwireless.com/accessibility.  For more information about  
Verizon
Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications
Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com.

# # #



About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable and largest  
wireless
voice and data network, serving more than 80 million customers.
Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with more than 85,000 employees
nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon  
Communications
(NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). For more information, visit
www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video
footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log  
on to
the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at
www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.



TALKST is a trademark of Nuance Communications, Inc. and/or its  
licensors
and is used under license.





Eric Bridges

Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs

American Council of the Blind

2200 Wilson Blvd. Suite 650

Arlington, VA 22201

Phone: (202) 467-5081

Fax: (703) 465-5085




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3/11/2009
8:42 PM


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