Press Release: Mobile accessibility – where are we today?

Vienna, 3 December 2015: The International Day for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is a good opportunity to take stock on where we are with the accessibility of mobile phones, tablets and apps.

Statistics released today by the Mobile Manufacturers Forum (MMF) for the Global Accessibility Reporting Initiative (GARI) show that:

• Almost half of consumers look for devices with features that will assist with a hearing impairment, closely followed by devices with features designed to assist those with impaired vision.
• Hearing-aid compatibility, improved call quality, adjustable alerts and maximum volume control are among the most searched for features; and
• 30 organisations around the world are currently using GARI, helping consumers to search for and find phones best suited to their needs*. 

GARI was created in 2010 by the Mobile Manufacturers Forum (MMF) to provide information on accessibility features in mobile phones and to help consumers identify devices that support these features.

The GARI website (www.gari.info) features an evolving searchable database that lists information on more than 110 accessibility features and over 1,100 mobile phone models around the world in currently 16 languages. Since 2013, the database also includes information on accessible tablets and accessibility related mobile applications.

"Many of today's mainstream devices have great accessibility features included but most users do not know about them. GARI wants to help people get informed about existing mobile accessibility solutions so that they can fully benefit from them," said Michael Milligan, Secretary General of the Mobile Manufacturers Forum.

“In the past 12 months, we have increased the number of accessibility related apps listed to almost 300. This ensures that people can also check whether their favourite accessibility related app will work with the new device – or what apps are available for their new device,” Mr. Milligan added.

* http://www.gari.info/examples-of-gari-in-use.cfm

About the MMF
The Mobile Manufacturers Forum (MMF) is an international association of telecommunications equipment manufacturers with an interest in mobile or wireless communications, including the manufacturers of mobile handsets and devices as well as the manufacturers of the network infrastructure. More information: www.mmfai.info

Press Contact
Sabine Lobnig, sabine.lobnig(@)mmfai.info
Deputy Director Communications & Regulations
Mobile Manufacturers Forum (MMF)
Tel.: 0043 664 46 23 449
www.gari.info
https://twitter.com/GARIupdates 
www.mmfai.info