Cell phones have become essential for communication, information, and entertainment. But their small size can create accessibility challenges. Here are some tips to prevent drops and improve handling, especially for those with physical challenges:
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Top: cell phone ring. Middle: cell phone lanyard. Bottom: Pop Sockets. Image courtesy from top to bottom: umesh chandra, gyro, and Alexandr Bognat. All from Getty Images.Phone Lanyards, Leashes and Tethers to Improve Accessibility
Lanyards, leashes and tethers anchor either around the neck or onto clothing for easy access and to prevent drops. Persons with hand weakness, amputations of the digits, coordination difficulties, and uncontrolled movements may especially benefit.
Phone Lanyards
1. Adjustable length lanyard
Outxe Universal Phone Lanyard can be worn around the wrist, neck or cross-body.
2. Adjustable retracting lanyard
The Slinger allows wear over your shoulder, across your body, or around your neck. Extend the lanyard for phone access and retract it for carrying.
The Slinger adjustable retracting lanyard and long rubber strap in packaging.Phone Leashes and Tethers
Phone leashes and tethers attach to clothing for security and drop protection. Take a peek at the following options:
3. Nite Ize Hitch Phone Anchor + Tether
Tether your phone to your pants loop or a zipper pull with the Hitch Phone Anchor + Tether.
4. Hangtime Gear Koala 2.0
The Koala 2.0 anchors to clothing with a swapable clamp and clip.
Preventing Slips With Grip Cases
5. Use a Case With Textured Grip
Textured grip cases can prevent slipping such as the Spec Presidio Grip Cases or dbrand grip cases
6. Stick On Grips
If purchasing a new case isn’t an option, there are stick-on grips like Cat Tongue Phone Grips available in a variety of designs.
Handles, Grips, Straps, and Rings to Improve Grip
7. PopSockets
PopSockets are well known circular pop-out style handles that slide between the fingers.
8. Love Handle
Versatile, fold-flat LoveHandle finger straps ensure a solid hold. The LoveHandle PRO Grip used with the PRO Mount allows you to prop your phone at any angle with its 360 swivel and tilt capabilities.
9. Two and Three Loop Phone Grips
Two and three loop grips by Lazy Hands securely wrap around the fingers.
10. Ring Grips
There are too many brands to mention! Some are stationary rings while others allow 360 degrees of rotation.
Accessible Charging
Plugging a charging cable into a phone can be challenging and frustrating for differently abled phone users. Thankfully, some alternatives and solutions exist.
11. Wireless Phone Charging
Look up your phone to see if it’s compatible with wireless charging to simply place your phone on the charging pad.
Wireless phone charger. Image by charliepix.12. Magnetic Charger Adapter Kit
The Magnetic Charger Adapter Kit from Active Hands uses a magnetic connector compatible with lighting, MicroUSB, and USBC connectors.
13. iPhone Charging Cord Adapter
Abilitease iPhone Charging Cable Adapters is a lightweight adaptive enclosure that clips over the iPhone charging cable end for easier handling.
DIY Solution with Self-Adhering Wrap
14. Build-Up With Wrap
Wrap several layers of self-adhering wrap like Coban or similar near the connector end to build it up and add texture. Make sure the wrap doesn’t cover the metal connector, just the plastic parts.
Charging end of an Apple charging cord built up with self-adhering bandage wrapConclusion
There are many cell phone solutions available to help people with different abilities improve their grip, handling, and charging of their phones. Accessibility solutions can make a big difference in the lives of people who struggle with these tasks, and can help them to stay connected and independent.
