Vodafone has marked International Day of Persons with Disabilities by announcing new plans and services for people with disabilities under its “Vodafone for All: Power to people with disabilities” programme.
The day is annually observed on December 3.
Customers with disabilities who hold a valid special needs card from Qatar Society for the Rehabilitation of Special Needs can now purchase one of the following plans: Red M for QR125 per month and Red Qatari for QR125 per month.
The first plan includes unlimited local calls and local SMSes, 1GB of local Internet, 180 international minutes to call one Vodafone approved international mobile number, 50% discount on parking and valet services at designated malls and entertainment venues within Qatar, 30% discount for any family member who purchases any Red Postpaid plan and 50% discount or QR1,000 voucher to be used towards the purchase of a Star Number.
The second plan includes unlimited local calls and local SMSes, 6GB of local data, 50% discount on parking and valet services at designated malls and entertainment venues in Qatar, 30% discount for any family member who purchases any Red Postpaid plan and 50% discount or QR1,000 voucher to be used towards the purchase of a Star Number.
In addition, customers with a valid special needs card can redeem a 10% discount on any of the handsets Vodafone offers.
Moreover, priority counters for people with disabilities to enable ease of access are now available in Vodafone’s flagship stores located in Landmark, Villaggio and City Center Doha. Alternatively, for their convenience, customers with disabilities are offered the Red Team service for home delivery and pick-up of bills or any products purchased online.
“At Vodafone, we want to make sure that everyone can enjoy this connected world, which is why we are offering customers with disabilities discounts on our plans and all handsets. We also understand that for customers with disabilities, finding the right mobile phone or understanding how to use it can be difficult; this is why our retail staff have been trained to assist customers with disabilities,” said Dana Haidan, head of corporate responsibility, Vodafone Qatar.
In partnership with Mada, Vodafone has trained all its retail staff members across its stores on how to help customers with disabilities choose a handset.
The retail staff members were trained on the accessibility features of all the handsets Vodafone offers to ensure they can guide a customer with disability to help them make the most out of smartphone technology to support their daily needs.
Vodafone’s retail employees were also trained on using GARI, the Global Accessibility Reporting Initiative - an accessibility mobile finder that helps persons with disabilities in finding handsets, tablets and apps to support all disabilities. GARI can now be found on Vodafone’s e-shop, too, which includes a page about using mobile technology for different kinds of disabilities.