What is the Communication Tool "Phone Request Notebook" for Hearing and Speech Impaired Individuals?

Did you know that the NTT Group, famous for NTT East and NTT West, offers a communication tool called the "Telephone Request Notebook" for people with hearing or speech impairments? Knowing about this tool can help you handle various situations when needed.

An active care worker in disability welfare services will explain it clearly.

1. Challenges Faced by Many People with Hearing and Speech Impairments

Challenges for People with Hearing Impairments

According to NHK's welfare information site Heart Net, a survey of 100 people with hearing impairments revealed the following concerns:

The top concern was "lack of information" at 55%
The second was "inability to convey information" at 34%
The third was "frequent misunderstandings" at 11%

Particularly, the inability to "make emergency calls to 110 or 119" or "convey messages verbally" was cited as a major concern.

Reference: Things You Should Know About the Concerns of People with Hearing Impairments｜NHK

Challenges for People with Speech Impairments

Similar to those with hearing impairments, many people with speech impairments struggle with effective communication, whether it be listening or speaking.

2. What is the "Telephone Request Notebook" App?

The Telephone Request Notebook is a communication tool for people with hearing or speech impairments and the elderly, provided by the NTT Group. Since 1983, the "Telephone Request Notebook (booklet version)" has been distributed for free to help convey personal intentions and requests to nearby people while out and about.

With the spread of smartphones, a web version and app version were developed and launched in 2016. It is now available for both iPhone and Android.

Reference: Use the "Telephone Request Notebook" App!｜NTT Group

3. What Makes the "Telephone Request Notebook" Stand Out!

The standout feature of the Telephone Request Notebook is its ability to visually convey "what I am struggling with now" for those who have difficulty hearing or speaking.

The app version only requires smartphone operation, eliminating the need to write with a pen. In emergencies, when writing might be difficult, there's no need to write legible characters for others, which is another advantage.

Additionally, with options prepared for various situations under each category, the time it takes to convey intentions is reduced compared to writing out messages.

The app version is available for free download. The web version requires no download, and you can start using it immediately by searching for "Telephone Request Notebook" on Google and accessing the page that appears.

4. How to Use the "Telephone Request Notebook" You Should Know!

Let's explain how to use the app version of the "Telephone Request Notebook".

This is the app screen of the Telephone Request Notebook. You can easily select what you want to convey from the left.

The first use case is when you want to request a 110 emergency call.

First, select "Call 110" from the "Emergency" category, and the screen will shift to the center, allowing you to choose what happened, more specific details, time, and location. Finally, tap "Display Request Screen" to show the screen on the right.

This way, even if you can't convey your message in words, the "Telephone Request Notebook" acts as your voice.

Next, here's how to use the app when you want to ask someone to call a friend or acquaintance.

Select "Please make a call" on the left screen, then enter your name, the recipient's name, their phone number, and the message you want conveyed on the center screen. Finally, the right screen will display, allowing you to communicate your situation and message in a polite manner.

I tried using it myself, and found the text and buttons large and easy to operate, making it very user-friendly. Additionally, the app includes furigana for kanji, ensuring that even children can smoothly understand the content.

5. In Conclusion

The Telephone Request Notebook is a communication tool for people with hearing or speech impairments, allowing them to visually convey their intended message to others. Since it can be used as an app, there's no need to carry it as a notebook, and it can be easily accessed via a smartphone.

Please utilize this tool to help reduce the challenges faced by those with hearing or speech impairments. For those with hearing impairments, also check out the article on