eircom Disability Services
Access to telecommunications services has the potential to greatly enhance the quality of life, in particular the elderly and people with a disability. All members of society can enjoy the benefits available from modern telecommunications in Ireland.
In eircom we aim to make our telephony service accessible to all our customers and pay special attention to our older and disabled customers. All eircom products and services can be ordered on line or by contacting us on freefone 1901
We provide the following products and services to meet the needs of customers with special needs:
Useful Phone Services
SMS Text Messaging
eircom provides a fixed, Short Message Service (SMS), which can be used, for communication where there is a hearing disability. A digital handset is required to avail of this service. For information on these handsets please see handsets.
Minicom Relay Service
This service allows for the translation of voice messages into text and the sending of that text to the phone of the customer or of the operator and vice versa. Customers who receive text relayed must have access to a Minicom. The national relay service, for Minicom users and those who communicate with them, is available 24 hours a day. Customers can reach the operator by calling us on one of the following freefone numbers:
Minicom users dialling a hearing person:
Freefone 1800 207 900
To dial a Minicom user:
Freefone 1800 207 800
Minicom users dialling the emergency services:
Freefone 1800 207 999
Free directory enquiries
eircom provide free directory enquires for customers that can’t use the Phonebook due to a sensory or physical disability or medical condition. All a customer needs to do is to freefone 1800 574 574 where they can apply to use the eircom directory enquiry service free of charge. You can download this form here.
To use the service once registered, please follow these steps:
- Dial 196
- The agent will ask you, in sequence, for your PIN number, your name, and the name and address of the person/company whose number you require.
- Customers should have a means of recording the numbers close to hand.
- If for any reason you are unable to make the call yourself, you can have somebody else do so on your behalf.
Phone listings are also available free of charge at www.eircomphonebook.ie
Phone handsets and useful features for fixed line phones
eircom supply a range of phones with features that may be of benefit to customers
with special needs.
eircom supply 2 main types of phones
Features of these phones
Restricted vision phones: All Handsets provided by eircom have a raised dot on the number 5 to help people with restricted vision to find other numbers more easily. In addition, the eircom dB30 has large push buttons that can be seen more clearly and a flashing indicator to signify that the phone is ringing.
In addition, all eircom cordless phones have an Illuminated display & keypad making it easier to see the numbers dialled.
Hands free/loudspeaker phones: All eircom phones offer this facility, with this
feature you don’t need to use the handset at all.
Simply adjust the sound level on the loudspeaker to the volume that you require.
Automatic redial - For customers with limited dexterity or
mobility all eircom phones have speed dial and automatic redial buttons.
This means that you can both, pre-programme the numbers that you use
most often and call the last number dialled without having to re-enter the number.
Inductive couplers and volume control - For hard of hearing customers:
eircom phones have a built-in inductive coupler fitted into the earpiece.
This means that anyone using a hearing aid can select the T-position.
This will enable the caller to hear incoming speech clearly.
In addition, all eircom phones allow you to increase the volume of incoming speech.
Internet Services
eircom provide two main categories of Internet access; narrowband, also known as dial up, and Broadband. To connect to the Internet through either service, please contact us on 1800 503 303 or order on line
For free Internet support and help please log on to www.eircom.net/support.
Alternatively you can speak with a Broadband Internet support specialist on 1890 260 260 or a narrow band or dial up internet support specialist on 1550 277 100.
Call charges apply.
Reading bills and other information
On-line - view your bill online, this facility enables you to enlarge any page of
your bill for ease of reading. eircom also provide facilities to pay your bill on line
at www.eircom.ie/payyourbill. To pay your bill on line, you must first register with us online. To register, you must have an email address. Once you have registered with us you can view, analyse and pay your bill online by Laser Card, or set up direct debit.
Over the phone - alternatively you can also pay your bill by laser card by phoning
1800 24 1901. In addition you can also listen to your bill balance and the last amount
paid on your bill through an automated service or speaking with an agent.
You can also choose to speak to an agent who will deal with your query,
and can also set up direct debit on your account with out the need for a signature.
Bills in Braille - eircom provides a service for customers who wish to receive their
bills in Braille – all customers have to do is to simply call us free on 1901 and say
"bill enquiry" and then say "other account enquiry". An agent will then ensure that
your bills are dispatched in Braille. In addition, bill payment can be taken over the
phone by Laser Card. Direct Debit can also be set up over the phone without the
need for a signature, making payment easier for customers with limited vision.
Customer Support
eircom provides support to customers either on line at www.eircom.ie or over the phone at 1901.
www.eircom.ie
Online you can avail of the following services
- View your bill
- Pay us by Laser Card
- Set up Direct Debit
- Order a product or service
- Report a fault or track an order
- Avail of great online offers
1901
By ringing 1901, one of our customer service representatives will be able to help you with
any query you may have, just follow the prompts. If at any stage you experience difficulty,
just say “help”. If you would like to speak with an agent, just say “agent”.
Remember to have your phone and account number to hand.
Help with costs
Telephone Allowance - Many customers are entitled to a monthly telephone
allowance from the Department of Social & Family Affairs. These customers include
all people over 70, regardless of means; those over 66 receiving most social welfare
pensions or allowances such as disability allowance and those over 66 not receiving
benefit but satisfying a means test.
To apply for the scheme complete the application form HB 1 which you can get from your local DSFA office and return it to:
Free Schemes Section, Social Welfare Services Office, FREEPOST,
College Road, Sligo.
LoCall: 1890 50 00 00 ext 48371 from the Republic of Ireland, or 00 353 71 914 8371 from Northern Ireland or overseas.
The eircom vulnerable user scheme - If you are currently spending less than €10 (inc VAT) each month on calls you may wish to join the eircom vulnerable user scheme. This scheme entitles you to the first €5 (inc VAT) worth of calls free. However, this scheme will not suit you if your bill is over €10 (inc VAT) per month as call rates double after €5 (inc VAT). For further see vulnerable user scheme
Call packages - eircom offer many call and Internet packages that provide great value for money – see eircom talktime for further details.
A Consumer guide for people with disabilities and older people
eircom is an active member of the Disability Forum set up by ComReg
and the NDA in 2007. One of the initiatives of this Forum was to publish
a consumer guide which would inform people with disabilities and older people about
various phone features, phone service, billing information and help with costs.
The guide is available in the following formats - Regular print, Large print, Braille,
Audio and Easy to read.
To access this guide online please click one of the links below:
Accessible PDF version in English
HTML Version As Gaelige
Accessible PDF version As Gaeilge
Easy to read Version
View eircom code of practice for the provision of services to users with disabilities.