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.
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 a 24-hour English-language audio service featuring readings of full-text articles from more than 600 of Canada's top newspapers and magazines. It’s available in all areas with Rogers Digital TV on channel 196 except for Hamilton, ON, where it is on channel 889. |
| 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 24-hour television service offering a variety of news, information, drama and entertainment programming with open described video and captioning — meaning that neither the DV audio feed nor closed captioning needs to be turned on. AMI-tv available in all areas with Rogers Digital TV on channel 888. Learn more about AMI-tv. |
| AMI-télé | AMI-télé is French-language 24-hour television service offering a variety of news, information, drama and entertainment programming with open described video and captioning — meaning that neither the DV audio feed nor closed captioning needs to be turned on. AMI-télé is available in all areas with Rogers Digital TV on channel 606 in Ontario and channel 664 in New Brunswick and Newfoundland. Learn more about AMI-télé. |
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.
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.
Home Phone Accessibility Features
Rogers Services
We’re pleased to offer our Home Phone customers with special needs the following services:
- 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 Home Phone service is compatible with the following home 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 Share Everything 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 Share Everything 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.
dial *243 (Aid) hotline
Identify yourself as a person with a specific accessibility need. You will be transferred to the Accessibility Services Team.
Call Centre Hours:
Daily from 9 am – 10 pm EST
Our Accessibility Service Team can answer any accessibility questions you may have. Keep in mind, Live Chat is not compatible with all screen readers – contact us at 1-877-508-1760 or dial *243 (Aid) hotline for help with this.
Live Chat Hours: 7 am to 12 am EST.
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.
