Vision Solutions
Accessible Devices
Return Policy for Customers with Special Needs
- Devices can be returned within 30 days from the date of purchase.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Siri: | Siri is a built-in “intelligent assistant” that will help you send messages, place phone calls, set reminders and do other tasks through voice commands. |
| FaceTime: | This allows video calling. |
| VoiceOver: | This is a screen reader that helps you to know what is happening and find things on the Multi-Touch Screen. You can hear what’s under your finger with audible key feedback and use gestures to control the device. |
| Speak Selection: | Get email and iMessages read aloud. Just highlight the text in an application and tap "Speak". |
| Braille Display: | Over 40 Bluetooth® wireless braille displays are supported. These displays can work with VoiceOver, Apple’s built-in screen reader. |
| Zoom and Magnify: | This features enlarges the screen. |
| Inverted Colour Display: | View a white-on-black display for higher contrast. |
Many smartphones are also compatible with third-party applications and hardware that facilitate access to your device and improve overall accessibility.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Screen Reader: | Hear an audio version of your emails, the calendar app, phone calls and texts. |
| Voice Control: | Complete a variety of actions and tasks through voice commands, like sending text messages and placing calls. |
| Text-to-Speech: | You can customize settings (volume, pitch and speech rate) and keyboard shortcuts. |
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| TalkBack: | This preloaded feature gives spoken, audible and vibrating feedback so that you know when you press a key. You can also get audio cues for battery levels, turning the device on or off, menu options, volume level adjustments and more. |
| Explore by Touch: | This feature works with TalkBack — touch the phone’s screen and hear what is underneath your finger read out loud. You can use several simple gestures with this feature. |
| Voice Outputs: | You can listen to text messages and the caller’s name if they are stored in your contact list when you receive calls or texts. |
| Voice Recognition: | Activate various features through voice commands and reduce your need to use the keypad. |
| Screen Display: | You can change the device’s display settings; multiple customizations are available like increasing the text size if you have partial vision. |
| Mobile Accessibility Software: | You can purchase this feature to read everything on a page aloud, including picture descriptions. |
Many smartphones are also compatible with third-party applications and hardware that facilitate access to your device and improve overall accessibility.
Ignite TV
Voice Remote
The Voice Remote allows users to search and select content, turn on features like closed captioning and video description and much more by simply pressing one button and saying a command.
Click here to learn more about the Voice Remote and how to use it.
Ignite TV Box
Below are the accessibility features supported by the Ignite TV Box.
Closed Captioning: When turned on, this feature enables closed captioning (subtitles) on all applicable movies and TV shows.
Click here to learn more about Closed Captioning on Ignite TV.
Video Description: Also known as Described Video, this feature offers audio-narrated descriptions of key visual elements like facial expressions, costumes, on-screen text and scenery changes that a blind or visually impaired viewer would otherwise miss.
Click here to learn more about Video Description on Ignite TV.
Voice Guidance: Voice Guidance is an accessibility feature that narrates what’s displayed on your TV screen.
Click here to learn more about Voice Guidance on Ignite TV.
Want to take advantage of special offers for Ignite TV? Contact the Rogers Accessibility Service Centre through the methods described below.
Rogers Digital TV
Digital TV Box & Remote Control
If you’re blind or visually impaired, we offer a complimentary digital box so you can enjoy a broader selection of described video (DV) programming on digital cable.
We also offer a complimentary, pre-programmed big-button remote control that lets you automatically activate, or deactivate, the DV audio feed on your digital box.
To learn more choose a contact option that works best for you; just identify yourself as a person with a specific disability need and you will be transferred to a member of our Accessibility Service Team.
Channels
We offer four specialty channels that specifically serve the needs of customers with vision and/or hearing impairments:
| Channel | Description |
|---|---|
| AMI-audio | AMI-audio is an accessible television channel and streaming service offering a variety of compelling stories and engaging original content to Canadians who are blind, partially sighted or otherwise print restricted. AMI-audio produces several daily live programs focused on news of the day, technology insights, community events, lifestyle issues, health and information directly affecting the blind and partially sighted community. AMI-audio also records and curates a selection of feature articles from top publications read by a team of professional narrators. AMI-audio content is available as podcasts through all major podcasting apps and platforms. |
| Canal M | Canal M is a 24-hour French-language audio service featuring readings of full-text articles. It’s on channel 659 in francophone markets in New Brunswick. Learn more about Canal M. |
| AMI-tv | AMI-tv is a national English language television channel licensed by the CRTC as part of the basic digital package offered by cable systems and satellite direct-to-home services. AMI-tv was the first channel in the world to broadcast all content with open format described video for individuals who are blind or partially sighted, in addition to closed captioning for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. AMI-tv entertains, informs and empowers people of all abilities with a variety of original content, as well as shows and movies from conventional and specialty television services, broadcast in an accessible format. |
| AMI-télé | AMI-télé serves francophone Canadians who are blind, partially sighted, deaf or hard of hearing. AMI-télé is the first and only French language station to broadcast all content with open described video serving people who are blind or partially sighted. The network offers a selection of varied programming including popular television series, classic movies, children’s favourites and original programming. It is available with a basic digital package from most television providers. |
Described Video
DV is additional audio content that accompanies the regular soundtrack of a program. It describes onscreen action and key visual elements like settings, costumes and body language. DV is only available on some programs and on select channels. Where available Rogers passes through this audio content.
Here’s a list of digital television channels that support DV programming. Keep in mind, the number of hours of DV programming varies by channel and is determined by the broadcaster.
Learn more about described video
Activating Described Video
For you to hear the DV soundtrack, the DV audio feed needs to be turned on.
Digital TV
If you have Rogers Digital TV, you can turn DV on/off for any described program through the audio menu within the settings of your Interactive Program Guide (IPG).
If your remote is rectangular with a significant circle shape in the top-half, press the SETTINGS button on the remote and select AUDIO from the settings list. Then follow the below instructions that apply to your digital box and region.
If your remote is rectangular with a slight curve in the middle, press MENU on your remote and select AUDIO from the settings list. Then follow the below instructions that apply to your digital box and region.
DV activation settings vary by set-top box and geographic region
Set-and-forget DV functionality
Once you activate DV you will continue to automatically hear DV audio for described programs for as long as the feature remains on.
For helpful step-by-step instructions on setting up DV programming on your Rogers digital box, visit Ami.ca/rogers.
Online DV Guide
The Online DV Guide is a comprehensive list of all programs in Canada available with described video. It provides five days of program listings with options to sort information by time, network or show. It also has information on how to access DV audio by major distributor (including Rogers). Visit the Online DV Guide.
Rogers Home Phone & Ignite Home Phone Accessibility Features
Rogers Services
We’re pleased to offer the following services to our Rogers Home Phone and Ignite Home Phone customers with special needs.
- Directory Assistance: No charge for 100 directory assistance (4-1-1) calls.
- Operator Assistance: We provide free operator assistance to help our visually impaired customers complete local, long distance, sent paid (per-minute rates apply), collect, and bill-to-third-party calls. Local and long distance charges apply.
Compatibility with home emergency services
Our Rogers Home Phone and Ignite Home Phone services are compatible with the following emergency services:
- DirectAlert
- Mondial Lifeguard Technologies
- ConnectCare
- Philips Lifeline
Alternative Monthly Bill Format
If you’re blind or visually impaired, you can receive your monthly invoice in several different formats at no extra charge, including:
- Large font (16 pt)
- Grade 2 Braille
- Electronic: Get your screen reader-compatible bill emailed to you, or view it online and download it in PDF format at rogers.com/myrogers
Wireless Plans and Add-ons
If you are Deaf, Deaf-Blind or Hard of Hearing and do not require standard Rogers voice service, or if you are Blind, Deaf-Blind or have a physical disability and rely on wireless applications to help you access helpful navigation tools, you may be eligible for a discounted wireless service plan.
Rogers offers a $20 discount on any of our consumer in-market Rogers InfiniteTM plans which include Data Manager, Roam Like Home, NHL Game Centre Live as well as unlimited access to Canada’s "SRV Canada VRS" Video Relay Service. Choose the right mix of minutes, features and more from our wide range of affordable plans.
Return Policy for Customers with Special Needs
- Devices can be returned within 30 days from the date of purchase.
Add-ons
Premium Voicemail-to-Text
For an extra $7 per month, get text and audio versions of your voicemail messages delivered to your device via text message.
- Store up to 35 five-minute voicemail messages and save each one for up to 10 days.
- Get text and audio versions of your voicemail sent to your device.
- Scan and respond to urgent messages.
- Choose how you wish to respond—by text or voice.
- Listen to your voicemail without dialling in or entering a password.
- Listen to your voicemail messages in any order you want.
How to Get it
Please contact us to explore all the latest plans and services available or to help choose the plan that is right for you. Just visit our Contact Us page and choose a contact option that works best for you; then identify yourself as a person with a specific disability need and you will be transferred to a member of our Accessibility Service Team.
If you are already subscribed to one of our Rogers InfiniteTM Plans, please send us your name, your account number and a copy of your membership to a disability association to our Customer Care office who will apply the discount. You can send the information to us using any of the three options below:
- Fax: 1-800-219-6473
Mail: Customer Support Investigations Team
100 Westmorland St
Moncton NB
E0C 0G1
- Email: AccessibilityDiscount@rci.rogers.com
Contact Us
Customers with disabilities can contact Rogers Accessibility Service Centre – a group dedicated to addressing our customers’ accessibility needs.
Our social media team is part of our Accessibility Services Group. You can reach out to them on Facebook via Facebook Messenger, or Twitter via direct message.
Plus, we’re open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!
Call 7-1-1 and ask your TTY operator to connect the call to 1-877-508-1760 or dial *243 (Aid) hotline.
TTY Hours: daily from 7 am - 12 am EST.
