Online Video in American Sign Language Showcases Verizon Wireless’ Nationwide Messaging Plan

Screen grab from the Verizon Wireless ASL videoWeb Video One Of Many Services Provided For Customers With Disabilities

By: PR Newswire

BASKING RIDGE, N.J., July 21 /PRNewswire/ — Verizon Wireless, the wireless industry leader in customer-friendly policies, announced that the company now offers information about its Nationwide Messaging plans in online videos in American Sign Language (ASL) to better serve customers who are deaf or hard of hearing.

The videos feature Tom Boudrow of the Marlboro, Mass.-based Verizon Center for Customers with Disabilities, using American Sign Language to answer frequently asked questions about Verizon Wireless’ Nationwide Messaging plans. The video clips can be viewed at http://aboutus.vzw.com/accessibility/nationwide_faq.html.

“Verizon Wireless is always seeking new and innovative ways to use technology to make it easier for customers to do business with us,” said Jack Plating, chief operating officer of Verizon Wireless. “We are pleased to offer this important customer community an alternative and accessible way to learn more about a plan designed to serve their needs.”

The Nationwide Messaging plans from Verizon Wireless are available for use with most consumer handsets, select personal assistants (PDAs) and smartphones, including BlackBerry(R) devices. For $34.99 monthly access, the new Nationwide Messaging plans on consumer devices include unlimited text, picture, video and instant messaging; unlimited Mobile Web access and unlimited data usage. Customers can also make voice calls for an additional 40 cents per minute. Customers who sign up for the $34.99 monthly access plan have the option of adding Mobile Email to their accounts for an additional $5 per month.

Customers with BlackBerry devices or PDAs can sign up for the BlackBerry or PDA/Smartphone Nationwide Messaging Plan for $54.99 monthly access, which includes unlimited text, picture, video and instant messaging; unlimited e-mail; unlimited Web browsing and unlimited data usage. Customers can also make voice calls for an additional 25 cents per minute. The Nationwide Messaging plans are available for all BlackBerry devices, the Verizon Wireless SMT5800, the Verizon Wireless XV6800 and the MOTO(TM) Q 9c.

Other Services Available

Verizon Wireless offers customers with disabilities a number of other services. The Verizon Center for Customers with Disabilities — with offices in Marlboro, Mass., and Oxnard, Calif. — provides customers with disabilities tools and support specifically designed to meet their communications needs. In addition, Verizon Wireless provides 411 (directory assistance) free of charge to legally eligible customers with disabilities, as defined by federal law. The company also regularly enhances its corporate Web site to create a more user-friendly experience for visually- and physically-impaired individuals. Recent updates include improved global navigation, accessible online forms, and link and image descriptions — all making it easier for screen readers widely used by customers with disabilities to navigate the site.

For more information about the Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store or go to http://www.verizonwireless.com/.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 67.2 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 69,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). For more information, go to: http://www.verizonwireless.com/. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at http://www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.