Abstract: A telephone for a physically handicapped person has a transducer which is selected for easy actuation by the handicapped person. The transducer may, for example, be operated orally. When the transducer is first operated, a switch under the control of the transducer causes the telephone line switch to go "off hook" and, after a suitable delay, causes outpulsing of a zero signal to alert the operator. Once contact with the operator is established, the caller who has access to a telephone microphone, asks the operator to place the call and subsequently participates in it. Following the termination of the call, the transducer is operated again to reactuate the line switch and return the telephone set to its "on hook" condition. A similar procedure is followed when a call is received by the handicapped person. However, in this case, since no zero dialling is required, ringing voltage on the line is detected and, while present, zero dialling in response to transducer actuation is prevented.

Abstract: A telephone user who cannot hear the telephone ringing is alerted, other than audibly, to the fact that the telephone must be answered. A radio transmitter at the telephone is driven by ringing voltage supplied to the instrument. The transmitter emits a radio signal which is picked up by a receiver carried by the telephone user. Upon detection of the received signal, a tactile transducer is actuated and alerts the telephone user to the fact that the telephone must be answered.