QUESTION:
I can find the keypad just fine again when the call ends but so far I haven’t had success finding it during a call. Where would it be in relation to the “end call” button? I can almost always find that during a call.

ANSWER:
Hello My Fellow Visually Impaired iPhone Users,

Do not become frustrated with your inability to access the in-call touch-screen keyboard.

Why Not?

Because it does not exist under a very specific circumstance. 

Allow me to explain: 

As you know, if you are not using a wired headset or a wireless Bluetooth device, the iPhone must be placed against your ear during a call. 

When the iPHone is placed against your ear, the touch-screen is automatically disabled.  Therefore, unlike on a traditional cell phone, you cannot place a finger between your face and the phone in order to access device keys. 

So, during a call, in order to access the iPhone touch screen, you must hold the phone away from your face at an almost lateral angle.  Of course, by doing this, in all but the most quiet of Environments, VoiceOver cannot be heard.  Believe me when I say that I have spent hours testing different angles in hopes of finding some way to circumvent this seemingly obvious accessibility glitch.  I was unsuccessful.  I give Apple credit on their geometric calculations for no matter how slight, unless you lay your head down on the phone, the touch-screen is disabled at the slightest tilt. 

Of course, as you may have guessed, I contacted the Apple Accessibility development team.  Their answer to my inquiry was (and I quote), “When the phone is next to your ear, you’re not intended to be touching the screen. You’ll need to set it down to access the screen.” 

As I said, that is a direct quote from Apple. 

Keep in mind that this is only an issue for those using the iPhone 3G S without either a wired or BlueTooth headset.

OK, this is all I have for now but check back as I will be publishing a very candid review of the iPhone 3G S with regard to its accessibility features for the blind and low vision.

And The Apple Cart Rolls On.

Mark