Accessibility Solutions from Cisco Partners

Berbee: Visual and Audio Emergency Notification Through the Phone

Overhead paging often does not reach deaf employees, which compromises safety. Berbee InformaCast helps ensure the safety of all employees by simultaneously sending an audible broadcast and text message to Cisco IP phones. In this way, the organization helps ensure that all employees have equal access to vital information about emergencies or network outages, for example. Administrators can select a prerecorded message or record a live broadcast, and send it to all phones or selected groups.

IP blue: Providing Audio-Assisted Phones for the Visually Impaired

With built-in text-to-speech translation, the VTGO-PC Softphone provides audio assistance for all features of the Cisco IP phone, including caller ID, call hold, line status, advanced services such as call directory and missed calls, and even prompts and messages from third-party applications. Employees accustomed to a JAWS screen reader can either continue to use it with the IP blue softphone or switch to the integrated IP blue speech engine.

An accessible software phone specially built for the Cisco IP Communications system, the VTGO-PC Softphone from IP blue, can be deployed alone or in conjunction with the Cisco IP Phone 7960G. Users choose on a call-by-call basis which phone to use.

Mobility capabilities help employees to retain the same phone number as they work from various locations. The VTGO-PC Softphone operates much like a typical phone: users don't need to use special keys for audio assistance, or to memorize or mark special-purpose keys.

NXi: Advanced Text Communications for the Hearing Impaired

NXi Telephony Services (NTS) complements the Cisco IP Communications solution to provide advanced text communications over IP networks, transforming the PC into a TTY device for sending and receiving messages.

Using the NTS client software on a PC, TTY users can take advantage of a visual interface to dial extensions and other phone numbers, use the computer keyboard to type TTY messages, and read them on the computer monitor. NTS also provides automated attendant, interactive voice response (IVR), and messaging options such as e-mail, fax, alpha paging, and instant messaging services.

Tenacity: Access A Phone

With built-in text-to-speech, Access A Phone is a Windows-based application that is an assistive technology for the Cisco Unified IP Phones. Access A Phone provides access to the 7900 Series call functions and operations through a Windows software application. These features enable individuals with low vision or mobility impairments to have access to Audible Caller ID with name and number, Audible confirmation of a new voice mail, Audible Call Log, Auto Answer, Announcement of Current Calls/Phone Status, Announcement of Who is on Hold, Dialing Shortcuts (Speed Dial, Redial, Dial from Call Log), High Contrast Display with accessible icons and Keyboard Control of the telephone.