http://www.voiceaccessusa.com/expanded_information.html

The Audio Yellow Pages

Voice Access Communications, LLC (VAC) provides listings in the ‘Audio Yellow Pages’. The service enables businesses to improve their accessibility for blind and visually impaired consumers. Businesses may ask VAC to include them in a voice interactive telephone "Yellow Pages" that would allow blind consumers to receive information about their business through the telephone.

The service is demonstrated at the toll-free number: 888-654-1236

Voice Recognition Technology

Voice Recognition Technology is used to locate the listings in the "Audio Yellow Pages". The Voice Access Service Provides:

• A Voice Advertisement about the Business;
• Directions to the Business for Disabled Clients; and
• A Direct Telephone Connection to the Business.

Reactions From Users

Blind and visually impaired people are estimated to include between 8–12 million Americans. Less than 10% can read Braille. If one includes people with physical and mental disabilities, elderly and frail users, then there are millions more consumers who are able to use the Audio Yellow Pages service.

User Kathy Martinez provide Proyecto Visión with the following comments on the Audio Yellow Pages:

"Users can move through the system using either the phone keypad or by voice command. First, identify the category of business that you want; next, say the city and state or type in a zip code. After that, the machine will identify the number of listings available in the selected category and area. You will hear the name of the business. If you’re interested in that business, either use the keypad or a voice command to make your selection. The phone number will then be read aloud."

"My only criticism," said Martinez, "is that the voice synthesizer chosen to read the business and phone number is not that clear. It would be a challenge to those who are not used to deciphering synthesized speech. Overall, I think it’s a good start."

Improving Accessibility

For subscribing businesses, the VAC service provides additional information about the business such as a description of their services, a brief advertisement, and information of particular interest to people who cannot see or get around as well as others. This includes information such as access directions for blind and visually impaired consumers to get to the business from public transportation and directions within a building, or a person to contact for special needs. The caller is also given an option to be connected to the business automatically without dialing. These features are all provided at no cost to people with disabilities.

Consumers with disabilities can call a toll-free number and request the zip code for the area they would like information and the type of business. The VAC service then reads the requested information to them. It’s just like the "Yellow Pages", except it is provided verbally.

The VAC database covers all states in the USA with over 10 million business listings and is updated annually. The service will be operational 24 hours per day / 7 days per week.

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