| Our commitment is to improve the accessibility of our products and services. We understand that technology is constantly changing, as well as the need for technology. As a result of this we try to work with our customers to understand the barriers around telecommunications. HuronTel, and the various associations to which we belong to, monitor accessibility services in our industry, so that we can be familiar with the best practices as well as the need for improvements. For more information, please contact HuronTel at (519)395-3800 or visit one of our billing offices. Below is an outline of the accessibility services available for our customers. |
| Video Calling | Allows the user to see and hear the person they're talking to on their mobile phone and lets them see and hear them. | Feature which facilitates use of sign language when used in conjunction with a phone stand |
| Call Display | Allows the user to see the caller's name or phone number before they answer. | Provides a visual indication that someone is calling and provides phone number which the user can use to respond in any way they wish |
| Text to Landline Messaging | Ability to send text messages from a mobile phone to a landline phone. The text messages are converted into voice messages. | Gives user the ability to leave a voicemail on a landline phone without the use of voice |
| Messaging | Text messaging (SMS), email, instant messaging (IM) and multimedia messaging (MMS or picture and video messaging) are offered on a large selection of mobile phones and smartphones. | Commonly-used method of communication for people with hearing and speech-related disabilities; does not require use of hearing or speech |
| Voicemail to Text | Ability to have voice messages converted into text messages on the user's mobile phone. Supports both English and French. | Turns an unreadable voicemail into text format for people who cannot hear |
| Text with 9-1-1 | Allows deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired persons to communicate with 9-1-1 call centres using wireless text messaging (SMS). | Provides access to 9-1-1 emergency services to customers who are deaf and hard of hearing using text messaging |
| Data-Only Plans | Where voice services are not required, data-only plans are available for customers with a super phone, smartphone or Turbo Stick. Customers can access emails, browse the Internet, and send and receive text messages without subscribing to a voice service. | Ensures that customers who do not use voice services, do not have to pay for voice services |
| Self Serve | Allows customer to manage their account on the go using the Web browser on their mobile phone. | Makes it easier for customers to manage their account on their own, and lessens the need to contact customer service |
| Relay Service | Lets people with hearing or speech disabilities communicate with hearing persons by phone with the help of trained operators. | Lets people with hearing or speech disabilities communicate with hearing persons using a TTY device and trained operators |
| Long Distance Discount | TTY/teletypewriter users who register can get a discount on long distance calls. | Provides TTY users with cost reduction on long distance calls made using relay services |
| National Do Not Call List | Reduces unwanted telemarketing calls. | Reduces unwanted calls from telemarketers |
| Enhanced 9-1-1 | When the customer dials 9-1-1 from their phone, the call will be routed to the 9-1-1 emergency operator in their area and provides them with location information. | Automatically provides 9-1-1 call center with customer location information when making a 9-1-1 call |
| Accessibility Services Centre | Specialized call centre for customers with disabilities | Option to contact a specialized call centre trained to handle accessibility-related questions; improved customer experience; can be contacted via TTY and email |
| Hearing Aid Compatibility (HAC) | Information on hearing aid compatibility available on select devices | Assists customers who use hearing aids to make an informed decision about an accessible phone |
| Accessibility Website | Dedicated website for customers with hearing, speech, visual, physical and cognitive disabilities | Source of information on accessible products and services |
| Variety of Methods Available to Contact Customer Service | Customer service can be contacted via phone, email, IM, TTY, mail | Provides customers with a variety of methods to communicate with customer service in a way that is accessible to them |
| Flexible Plan Options | Wide variety of service plans and features available which can be tailored to suit customer needs | Provides customers with the flexibility to create a plan that includes features which improve the accessibility of their handset |
| Text to Landline Messaging | Ability to send text messages from a mobile phone to a landline phone. The text messages are converted into voice messages. | Allows texts sent to a landline to be converted into voicemails which would be interpreted by someone with a visual disability |
| Voice Dialing | Customer can make a call by simply speaking the name or number of the person they are trying to reach. | Makes dialling a call faster and easier for a user who has a visual disability |
| Call Forwarding | Customer can automatically forward incoming calls to any number they choose. | Gives a user the ability to forward calls from one phone to another if they wish |
| Message Centre | Message Centre is an enhanced voicemail service that takes up to 25 five-minute voice messages. | Increased capacity for voicemail messages. Could be useful for someone who primarily uses voice calls |
| Operator Assistance | If eligible, operators can place local calls and navigate Interactive Voice Response (IVR) systems for the customer, free of charge. The surcharge for operator assisted long distance calls is also waived. | Assistive service which places calls and navigates IVR systems on the customer's behalf. Could be useful for someone with a visual disability because it reduces the requirement to dial and locate specific keys; also waives fee for long distance operator |
| Free Directory Assistance | If eligible, the customer may be exempt from paying local and long distance Directory Assistance and Automatic Directory Assistance Call Completion charges. | Assistive service which locates numbers on a user's behalf. Could be useful for someone with a visual disability because it reduces the requirement to lookup a number; also waives fee. |
| Alternate Formats | Upon request, customers can get bills in Braille, large print, e-text or audio CD format. Some other documents are also available in Braille or large print. | Gives user the ability to receive bills and other documents in a format that is accessible for them |
| National Do Not Call List | Reduces unwanted telemarketing calls. | Reduces unwanted calls from telemarketers |
| Enhanced 9-1-1 | When the customer dials 9-1-1 from their phone, the call will be routed to the 9-1-1 emergency operator in their area and provides them with location information. | Automatically provides 9-1-1 call center with customer location information when making a 9-1-1 call |
| Accessible Website | Website endevouring to meet WCAG 2.0 AA standards | Improves the accessibility of the website, particularly when assistive technologies are used to access it |
| Variety of Methods Available to Contact Customer Service | Customer service can be contacted via phone, email, IM, TTY, mail | Provides customers with a variety of methods to communicate with customer service in a way that is accessible to them |
| Flexible Plan Options | Wide variety of service plans and features available which can be tailored to suit customer needs | Provides customers with the flexibility to create a plan that includes features which improve the accessibility of their handset |
| Call Display | Allows the user to see the caller's name or phone number before they answer. | Provides record of phone number and contact who called in case the user could not reach the phone in time to answer |
| Call Forwarding | Customer can automatically forward incoming calls to any number they choose. | Gives a user the ability to forward calls from one phone to another if they wish |
| Email to Text | Send and receive email via text message. | Reduces the need to open multiple messaging applications, thereby reducing the use of hands and/or fingers |
| Visual Voicemail | Customers can manage their voice messages without having to dial in to their voicemail service. | Faster way to access voicemail, no need to remember password or dial numbers |
| Voicemail to Text | Ability to have voice messages converted into text messages on the user's mobile phone. Supports both English and French. | Reduces the need to open multiple messaging applications, thereby reducing the use of hands and/or fingers |
| Roadside Assistance | Roadside Assistance providing 24/7 emergency services anywhere in Canada and the U.S., such as gas delivery, battery boost and more. | Provides users with assistance for roadside emergencies which might be particularly troublesome for a user with a disability |
| Voice Dialing | Customer can make a call by simply speaking the name or number of the person they are trying to reach. | Makes dialling a call faster and easier for a user who has a physical disability |
| Self Serve | Allows the customer to manage their account on the go using the Web browser on their mobile phone. | Makes it easier for customers to manage their account on their own, and lessens the need to contact customer service |
| Operator Assistance | If eligible, operators can place local calls and navigate Interactive Voice Response (IVR) systems for the customer, free of charge. The surcharge for operator assisted long distance calls is also waived. | Assistive service which places calls and navigates IVR systems on the customer's behalf. Could be useful for someone with a physical disability because it reduces the requirement to dial and locate specific keys; also waives fee for long distance operator |
| Free Directory Assistance | If eligible, the customer may be exempt from paying local and long distance Directory Assistance and Automatic Directory Assistance Call Completion charges. | Assistive service which locates numbers on a user's behalf. Could be useful for someone with a physical disability because it reduces the requirement to lookup a number; also waives fee |
| National Do Not Call List | Reduces unwanted telemarketing calls. | Reduces unwanted calls from telemarketers |
| Enhanced 9-1-1 | When the customer dials 9-1-1 from their phone, the call will be routed to the 9-1-1 emergency operator in their area and provides them with location information. | Automatically provides 9-1-1 call center with customer location information when making a 9-1-1 call |
| Accessibility Website | Dedicated website for customers with hearing, speech, visual, physical and cognitive disabilities | Source of information on accessible products and services |
| Accessible Website | Website endevouring to meet WCAG 2.0 AA standards | Improves the accessibility of the website, particularly when assistive technologies are used to access it |
| Variety of Methods Available to Contact Customer Service | Customer service can be contacted via phone, email, IM, TTY, mail | Provides customers with a variety of methods to communicate with customer service in a way that is accessible to them |
| Flexible Plan Options | Wide variety of service plans and features available which can be tailored to suit customer needs | Provides customers with the flexibility to create a plan that includes features which improve the accessibility of their handset |
| Messaging | Text messaging (SMS), email, instant messaging (IM) and multimedia messaging (MMS or picture and video messaging) are offered on a large selection of mobile phones and smartphones. | Commonly-used method of communication for people with hearing and speech-related disabilities; does not require use of hearing or speech |
| Message Centre | Message Centre is an enhanced voicemail service that takes up to 25 five-minute voice messages. | Increased capacity for voicemail messages. Could be useful for someone who primarily uses voice calls |
| Visual Voicemail | Customers can manage their voice messages without having to dial in to their voicemail service. | Faster way to access voicemail, no need to remember password or dial numbers |
| Self Serve | Allows customer to manage their account on the go using the Web browser on their mobile phone. | Makes it easier for customers to manage their account on their own, and lessens the need to contact customer service |
| Operator Assistance | If eligible, operators can place local calls and navigate Interactive Voice Response (IVR) systems for the customer, free of charge. The surcharge for operator assisted long distance calls is also waived. | Assistive service which places calls and navigates IVR systems on the customer's behalf. Could be useful for someone with a cognitive disability because it reduces the requirement to dial and locate specific keys; also waives fee for long distance operato |
| Free Directory Assistance | If eligible, the customer may be exempt from paying local and long distance Directory Assistance and Automatic Directory Assistance Call Completion charges. | Assistive service which locates numbers on a user's behalf. Could be useful for someone with a cognitive disability because it reduces the requirement to lookup a number; also waives fee |
| Alternate Formats | Upon request, customers can get bills in Braille, large print, e-text or audio CD format. Some other documents are also available in Braille or large print. | Gives user the ability to receive bills and other documents in a format that is accessible for them |
| National Do Not Call List | Reduces unwanted telemarketing calls. | Reduces unwanted calls from telemarketers |
| Enhanced 9-1-1 | When the customer dials 9-1-1 from their phone, the call will be routed to the 9-1-1 emergency operator in their area and provides them with location information. | Automatically provides 9-1-1 call center with customer location information when making a 9-1-1 call |
| Accessibility Services Centre | Specialized call centre for customers with disabilities | Option to contact a specialized call centre trained to handle accessibility-related questions; improved customer experience |
| Accessibility Website | Dedicated website for customers with hearing, speech, visual, physical and cognitive disabilities | Source of information on accessible products and services |
| Accessible Website | Website endevouring to meet WCAG 2.0 AA standards | Improves the accessibility of the website, particularly when assistive technologies are used to access it |
| Variety of Methods Available to Contact Customer Service | Customer service can be contacted via phone, email, IM, TTY, mail | Provides customers with a variety of methods to communicate with customer service in a way that is accessible to them |
| Flexible Plan Options | Wide variety of service plans and features available which can be tailored to suit customer needs | Provides customers with the flexibility to create a plan that includes features which improve the accessibility of their handset |
| Section G.4 of the revised Wireless Code sets out the rules related to trial periods. If a customer self-identifies as a person with a disability, the service provider must offer an extended trial period lasting a minimum of 30 calendar days, and the permitted usage amounts must be at least double the service provider’s general usage amounts for the standard trial period. Wireless discounts available to subscribers requiring accessibility needs. For more information, please contact HuronTel at (519)395-3800 or visit one of our billing offices. |
