My Positive Experience with a Phone from the Kilimanjaro Blind Trust Africa Research Project

My name is Joseph Etyang, a Deaf person based in Nairobi, Kenya. Through a recent research project under the Kilimanjaro Blind Trust Africa, I received a specialized phone, and I can't express enough how much it has enriched my daily life. From the moment I started using it, the accessibility features made a noticeable impact on how I interact with the world around me.

One of the most transformative features has been the sound alerts, especially for door knocks. This feature ensures that I’m always aware of visitors at my door, something I previously found challenging. In professional settings, the caption reading function has been invaluable. It allows me to actively participate in meetings, fully understanding the discussions without missing key points—a real game-changer in staying connected and informed.

The phone’s text capabilities are another fantastic addition. I can read incoming messages with ease and respond quickly, which has streamlined my communication and keeps me closely connected to my network. Beyond work and daily tasks, the phone even enhances my leisure time. I can watch movies or YouTube videos while multitasking, making my downtime much more enjoyable.

One of the standout features for me, as a Deaf person, is the ability to receive voice calls with captions. When someone calls, I simply activate the caption feature, which converts their spoken words into text in real time. This allows me to understand the caller’s message and respond through text without needing a sign language interpreter. It’s not just convenient; it provides a level of privacy and independence.
I deeply appreciate it. I feel secure knowing I can handle phone calls on my own, preserving my personal information while fully engaging with the conversation.

Overall, this phone has been an empowering addition to my life. Its features are thoughtfully designed to meet the needs of the Deaf community, enhancing communication, accessibility, and connectivity. I’m genuinely grateful for this transformative tool, which has made my daily life more seamless and enriched my interactions in ways I hadn’t imagined.