Choosing a mobile phone:

Keypad

• Large buttons, raised keys and a raised dot on the number 5 will help you find the right button.
• Large numbers and letters, in contrasting colours that stand out.
• Buttons that make a sound or vibrate when you touch them. So that you can tell what you're pressing.

Display and screen

• Choose a screen with good contrast and easy-to-read fonts.
• Avoid shiny screens that give off a lot of glare.
• Back lighting also helps - you can change how long the screen lights up for.
• Some phones let you switch to large print.

Useful features

• Voice dialling. So you can call someone by saying their name.
• Speed or one-touch dialling. So you don't have to type as much.
• Sound settings. So you can hear when your phone's starting up and shutting down. And when you battery's low, empty, charging and full.
• A camera with zoom so you can use it like a magnifying glass.
• Personalised ring-tones. You can use different ring-tones for different contacts on your phone so you can tell who's calling.

Hands-free

Hands-free kits or Bluetooth headsets help make your phone less fiddly. Most let you answer calls without touching your phone (so you don't have to search for it).

Screen-reading software
You can buy software that reads out what's on your screen. But it only works with some phones. To find out more, call the RNIB Technology team on 0845 900 0015.