Mary

Mary is 84 years old and legally blind. Her family has pointed out that a mobile phone could enable Mary and her husband Sal to be located in an emergency and to receive emergency alerts.  But she finds them hard to use.

Mary is now legally blind due to a progressive eye disease. She is able to read newspapers, magazines, recipes, and mail, using a handheld electronic device that magnifies up to 60 times and projects them on a small screen.  Mary is independent around her home, since she knows it so well. Sal has difficulty hearing, especially in noisy environments, “and whenever I'm talking to him”, Mary adds.

After the hurricanes of 2005, their children finally convinced Sal and Mary to carry a mobile phone to keep in touch.  Still, it’s often not turned on when family members try to call.  The family has pointed out that their mobile phone could also enable Mary and Sal to be located in an emergency and to receive emergency alerts.  Mary isn’t enthusiastic about “being tracked wherever we go” and being “at the mercy of someone else telling them what to do in an emergency - who are these people?” 

“We love our kids, but they're always after us to get the latest - and tiniest - gadget, and the manuals are bigger than the product - Sal won't read them, anymore than he would a map!  The phones keep getting smaller, and there isn't enough “feel” to the buttons for me. Some are so sensitive that I accidentally press them just trying to locate the right one. Besides, I can't see the screen very well.”

Mary and Sal might use their mobile phone more if it included:

·         “Less techno-jargon – use common language learned during the ‘paper era’”

·         Strong tactile feedback of controls and markings

·         Options for changing display text size, color and contrast

·         Glare reduction on controls and display

·         Large, well-spaced controls

·         Tone, pitch, and volume control

·         Free calls to family and friends