Cisco uses a dedicated lab to test its products for accessibility and for compatibility with assistive technology devices, and to demonstrate to customers how its products can be used by people with disabilities.

Dedicated to Excellence in the Design and Usability of Cisco Products

Cisco works with people with disabilities to better understand how to design and build products that are usable by all people. The Cisco Accessibility Lab's state-of-the-art research environment, featuring one-way mirrors, assistive technologies, and completely digital audio- and video-recording capabilities, is used for:

• Focus groups
• Product evaluations
• Usability studies

The Lab is based in San Jose, California. Contact your Cisco account manager to see a tour of the facility or a demonstration.

Assistive Technology and Devices

Cisco develops relationships with leading assistive device vendors to help ensure that its accessibility solutions are not limited by any particular technical solution or method.

Assistive Technologies Available in the Lab:

• Freedom Scientific JAWs for Windows Screen Reader
• GW Micro Window-Eyes Screen Reader
• IntelliKeys, IntelliTools
• NaturalPoint Head Control
• TTY Devices:
  • Ultratec Supercom
  • Ameriphone Dialogue
  • Ultratec Compact
  • Ultratec Uniphone
• Voice Recognition Tools
• SOAtest
• Screen Magnifiers

Please note: This is not an exhaustive list. Not all assistive technologies are used in testing all products. Listing on this page does not imply endorsement by Cisco.

External Resources

• American Foundation for the Blind
• Inclusive Technologies
• Gallaudet Technology Access Program
• IBM Accessibility Developer Guidelines

Cisco works closely with partners to provide solutions that complement the Accessibility and usability of Cisco Products and Solutions.

IPblue: 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 IPblue 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 IPblue, 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. Visit the IPblue web site for more information. 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. 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. Visit the IPblue web site for more information.

Singlewire (Berbee): Visual and Audio Emergency Notification Through the Phone

Overhead paging often does not reach deaf employees, which compromises safety. Singlewire 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. Visit the Singlewire web site for more information.

Tenacity

accessaphone™ software applications engineered by Tenacity, an effective leader within the field of accessible telephony, provide a comprehensive list of Section 508 compliant communication interface options to control Cisco Unified IP Phones. Tenacity's Microsoft Windows® applications, include, but are not limited to, accessaphone and accessaphone ipTTY.

• accessaphone with integrated text-to-speech provides audible status for features of the Cisco IP phone, keyboard, and speech recognition controls for individuals who are blind / low vision / mobility impaired. Employees who prefer to use another screen reader may use accessaphone's text-to-speech for audible caller ID only. accessaphone is an enhanced interface for the Cisco IP Phones and does not replace the Cisco soft phone or desk phone.
• accessaphone ipTTY includes TTY compatibility, real time text and audio for individuals who are deaf/hard of hearing. accessaphone ipTTY helps businesses save money because end users are afforded the opportunity to communicate via TTY using the existing Cisco infrastructure without the need for additional analog lines, modems, or other equipment and barriers traditionally associated with TTY communications. The application communicates through IP and uses standard session initiation protocol (SIP) registered as a third-party SIP endpoint on Cisco Communications Manager. This soft client enables virtually every user on the telephony network to communicate with customer TTY machines, without the need for text relay service. Additionally ipTTY supports audio and real-time-text via RFC 4103; the future in real time text communication.

All accessaphone applications incorporate intuitive hotkeys to support individuals with cognitive impairments as well as alternative input devices for people with mobility impairments. For the organization, enterprise licensing creates a single entity-wide solution, with each individual's unique assistive technology (AT) needs matched by accessaphone built-in product/feature options. Visit the Tenacity accessaphone website for more information including Voluntary Product Accessibility Templates (VPATs).