Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Looking for voice calling options without smartphone required (self.Blind)
submitted by prairiesailor
Hi all,
Looking to help my father who is in his 80's and has significant deteriorated vision. He's never had a smartphone, only a flip. It's getting increasingly difficult for him to read the LCD to make sure he's selecting the right name.
We bought him an Alexa device which he really likes, and is able to control. He can also use it to call family. But you can't call people that don't have an Alexa.
I would desperately like to find a way to setup voice calling if at all possible. Even if we do have to preprogram all the contacts. It just doesn't seem like this solution exists. There's no way he's going to learn a smartphone now, particularly if his first is when he can see well.
Any suggestions?
Looking to help my father who is in his 80's and has significant deteriorated vision. He's never had a smartphone, only a flip. It's getting increasingly difficult for him to read the LCD to make sure he's selecting the right name.
We bought him an Alexa device which he really likes, and is able to control. He can also use it to call family. But you can't call people that don't have an Alexa.
I would desperately like to find a way to setup voice calling if at all possible. Even if we do have to preprogram all the contacts. It just doesn't seem like this solution exists. There's no way he's going to learn a smartphone now, particularly if his first is when he can see well.
Any suggestions?
retrolental_morose 3 points 1y ago
You can call US/UK phone numbers with alexa. You'll need to use the App or alexa.amazon.com to add them to contacts for the best experience but it works just fine here.
prairiesailor [OP] 2 points 1y ago
Oh, that's really interesting! I searched like crazy and didn't find any instructions for that. I will certainly give it a go.
retrolental_morose 2 points 1y ago
I'm in the UK but, if I just ask her to call a contact of mine who only has a phone number, it just goes through no problem. Things always come to the US first, so I can't imagine the same thing isn't available there.
zersiax 2 points 1y ago
I am reasonably sure Alexa can integrate with Skype as well, so that could be an angle as well perhaps? If you set him up with skype calls going to his number Alexa could even alert him about those if that ever becomes necessary
vip-sizzles 2 points 1y ago
I don't have an Alexa device but I read Alexa is capable of calling regular phone numbers with some limitations. You might need to download the Alexa app but any smart phone might work. Simply use the app to log into his account & try setting it up from there.
prairiesailor [OP] 1 points 1y ago
I'm going to look more into this again, thanks!
PrincessDie123 2 points 1y ago
Idk how to do it without a smartphone but the google home can use your cellphone to call people.
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