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TalkTalk Help & Support

TalkTalk Accessibility

Accessibility and additional support

We're committed to making our services accessible to everyone. 

If you have a hearing, sight, speech, cognitive or other accessibility need, we're here to help. We offer a range of support options and alternative formats designed to make it easier for you to manage your account and get the help you need. 

You can also read our Accessibility and Vulnerable Customers Policy for full details of the support we provide.

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How we can support you

Everyone's needs are different, so we offer a range of support options. Explore the options below to find the support that's right for you.

Alternative formats

Available formats include: 

  • Large print 
  • Braille 
  • Audio format 
  • Electronic documents where available 

If you'd like information in a different format, please contact us and we'll discuss the best option for your needs. 

Request alternative format

You can request alternative accessible communication methods in our App. To do this, simply:

  1. Log in to our app
  2. Go to the more menu
  3. Select Communication preferences
  4. Select Accessibility communications
  5. Select your preference and save changes

TalkTalk App

Support for customers with hearing or speech requirements

We offer ways to help customers who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have speech difficulties communicate with us. 

Depending on your needs, support options may include: 

  • Text-based support channels 
  • Relay services 
  • Alternative ways to contact us without using the phone 

We'll help you find the most suitable way to get support. 

Start now

Support for customers with sight loss

If you're blind or partially sighted, we can help make information easier to access through alternative formats and accessible communications. 

We can discuss your requirements and help identify the best support options available. 

Learn about accessible communications now. 

Learn more

Support for customers with cognitive or memory difficulties

We understand that managing accounts and services can sometimes feel complex or overwhelming.

If you need extra support, we'll do our best to communicate clearly, explain information in straightforward language, and help you understand your options.

If you'd like us to make a note of your support needs, please let us know.


Tell us more

Managing your account with support from someone you trust

Sometimes you may want a family member, friend or carer to help manage your account.

We can support this in a number of ways depending on your circumstances.

Authority to Act

Authority to Act allows you to give someone permission to discuss your account with us on your behalf.

This can be useful if you'd like support from a family member, friend or carer but still want to remain in control of your account.

Find out more

Power of Attorney

If someone legally manages your affairs through a Power of Attorney, we'll work with them once the appropriate documentation has been provided.

Our team can explain what documents are required and how to submit them.

Find out more

Let us know if you need additional support

If your circumstances mean you need extra help, we'd encourage you to tell us.

Sharing your support needs can help us provide a more tailored experience and make it easier to communicate with you in the way that works best.

You can update us at any time if your needs change.

Register support needs

Need help today?

If you need support right now, our team is here to help.

Choose the contact method that works best for you and we'll do our best to support your individual needs.

Contact us

Accessible contact options

 

Learn more

Sight loss support

Text to voice

Text to voice is a service that enables you to receive any SMS notifications sent by TalkTalk in an audio format to your landline/Mobile. You can request these online in My Account or by contacting us with your account details and desired format.

Audio Description

Audio Description provides a narrative of what’s being played on the TV screen. The soundtrack from the programme will come through the speakers as normal and in addition to this, a narrator will explain what’s happening on the screen.

Unfortunately, not all programmes provide Audio Description. However, you can check if your chosen programme has this service by following the steps below:

  1. Press the Info or i button on your remote
  2. Programme information will be displayed, along with [AD] if Audio Description is supported
Enabling Audio Description

The quickest way to set up Audio Description is to use the dedicated button on your TalkTalk remote. Simply press the Audio Des or AD button to switch the service on and again to switch it off. You can also enable this service from the main menu on your TalkTalk TV:

TalkTalk TV Hub
  1. Press the Home button on your TV Hub remote
  2. Select Settings (cog)
  3. Select Accessibility
  4. Select Audio Description
  5. Press OK on your remote to toggle the options on/off

 

TalkTalk TV 4K Box
  1. Press the Home button on your remote
  2. Select Settings
  3. Select Accessibility
  4. Use the arrow keys to highlight 'Enable audio description' and press OK.

 

TalkTalk TV & Plus Box
  1. Press the YouView button on your remote
  2. Select Settings
  3. Select Audio Description
  4. Select OK to either turn the setting on/off
  5. Select Done to save your changes

The volume can be adjusted in a similar way from the Audio Description menu. Select Volume and use the up and down arrow keys to select your preferred volume. When you're happy with your choice select Done.

 

Colours & Logos

The TalkTalk TV & Plus Boxes give you the choice to customise the appearance of the TV screen to make the picture work for you.

High Contrast Colours

TalkTalk TV offers an alternative high contrast colour scheme. To adjust your contrast settings on TalkTalk TV & Plus Boxes follow the steps below:

  1. Press the YouView button on your remote
  2. Select Settings
  3. Select Colours & Logos
  4. Select High Contrast Colours
  5. Press the OK button to switch this setting on/off
Channel Logos

If you'd prefer channel names to appear as text rather than logos in the guide or mini guide, you can turn the logos off on TalkTalk TV & Plus Boxes by following the steps below:

  1. Press the YouView button on your remote
  2. Select Settings
  3. Select Colours & Logos
  4. Select Channel Logos
  5. Press the OK button to switch this setting on/off
Zoom

If you’re having trouble reading text on your screen then your TalkTalk TV & Plus Boxes zoom function can help. Your box is also compatible with selected USB keyboards which you can use to navigate the menus.

What can I zoom in on?

You can zoom in and enlarge the menus and notification messages on your TV screen, allowing you to have a larger view of any text. Please note, this feature doesn't work while you're watching programmes and you won't be able to select anything onscreen whilst zoomed in. The zoom is set to enlarge the page view by 1.33 times its original size and can't be zoomed in further than this.

How do I use zoom?
  1. Simply press the Zoom button on your TalkTalk remote control to zoom in or out
  2. Use the direction pad to move the focus of the zoom
  3. Once you've zoomed in, your TalkTalk TV Box will remember this setting even if you switch it off at the wall

Hearing loss support

Sign Language

The Sign Language feature allows more customers to enjoy TalkTalk TV and, when active, provides a signer in the corner of your screen who translates the dialogue into sign language.

We recommend checking on the individual programme to see if sign language is supported as not all broadcasters supply this service.

To check whether your chosen programme has Sign Language:

  1. Press the Info button on your remote
  2. Programme information will be displayed, along with [SL] if Sign Language is supported
Enabling Sign Language

You can enable Sign Language via the main menu on a TalkTalk TV & Plus Box by following these steps:

  1. Press the YouView button on your remote
  2. Select Settings
  3. Select Language & Subtitles
  4. Press the OK button to turn this setting On or Off
  5. Select Done to save your changes
Subtitles

Subtitles are a great accessibility feature that provide a text version of the dialogue on a TV programme or film. They're usually displayed at the bottom of the screen to be as unobtrusive as possible.

We recommend checking the individual programme to see if subtitles are supported as not all broadcasters supply this service.

To check whether your chosen programme has subtitles:

  1. Press the Info or i button on your remote
  2. Programme information will be displayed, along with [S] if subtitles are supported

 

Mobility support

We want to help TalkTalk customers with disabilities get the most out of all our services. We provide the following support for customers with a mobility impairment:

Priority Fault Repair

This is a free service for customers who rely on their TalkTalk Broadband and Telephone services for health and mobility reasons. If you're eligible, you'll get priority when you report a fault to us. The service is only available to you if your household includes someone at risk, or you have accessibility requirements such as:

  • - Home Renal Dialysis Machine
  • - Home Peritoneal Dialysis Machine
  • - Artificial Ventilator
  • - Unable to leave the house unaided due to a chronic long-term illness or disability

To apply for this service contact us. Please note that unfortunately, we’re unable to offer this service if:

  • - Your line is supplied by another service provider
  • - You live in warden-controlled, residential nursing, care home or similar type of accommodation
  • - The service doesn't cover alarm monitoring stations, control rooms or other types of alarm lines or installations
Free Directory Enquiries

We're able to provide free directory enquiries for customers who are unable to use a printed directory and the connection to the requested number. You can apply for the Free 195 Directory Enquiries by calling 08005870195 between 9AM & 4PM Monday to Friday.

Once registered, you'll be given a PIN number to start using the 195 service. The 195 team are dedicated to supporting those with accessibility requirements. 

 

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