No, there aren’t giant buttons or a missing screen. A new smartphone from Verizon Wireless looks just like a … smartphone. It’s the Motorola Q9C phone, complete with QWERTY keyboard, Web access and, well, everything.

Verizon Wireless has added TALKS, a new service to offer a smartphone for the blind. Integrating technology from Nuance Communications, which makes Dragon NaturallySpeaking voice-recognition software, the TALKS service will help the visually impaired text, find contacts and use caller ID.

The TALKS service does several things:

• Reads texts, e-mails, notes and anything on the screen out loud.
• Allows user to use voice to “write” text messages and e-mail.
• Announces the number on the caller ID.
• Offers audio indicators when moving through menus, contact names, etc. 

 
While Nuance TALKS has been around, the software worked on only a handful Nokia phones and was sold separately. With Verizon’s support, TALKS is easier — and cheaper — to obtain, said Chris Danielsen, director of public relations for the National Federation of the Blind.

“It is encouraging that Verizon is offering it directly to blind customers as this will make it easier for blind people who do not know about this technology to quickly obtain an accessible cell phone,” Danielsen said.

For Verizon customers, TALKS is only available on the new Motorola Q9C phone. The phone is $250 with a two-year contract, and the TALKS software is $99.99. Users can also order a manual in Braille. Elsewhere, the TALKS software sells for $300.

Nuance TALKS isn’t the only text-to-speech tool available for mobile phones. Mobile Speak, from Code Factory, reads what’s on the phone’s screen and is available for all sorts of smartphones and from AT&T.

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