If you have visual impairments, or communication barriers, or if you’re a senior citizen who needs some help, Vodacom has a range of support tools and services that’ll enable you to stay connected. These include priority assistance with device repairs, special contracts on smartphones, and even special phones.

Vodacom offers its specific needs service to a specific group of people. This includes persons with visual impairments (those who are blind, partially sighted or have low vision); persons with communication barriers, which refers to those who are Deaf, hearing impaired, Deafblind, and speech impaired; and our senior citizens, which is persons over the age of 60 years. People who are physically disabled, who have limited hand function, or who have psychosocial, intellectual or neurological disability, may also apply.

To qualify for certain benefits, you will need to register your disability voluntarily via Vodacom's WhatsApp number 082 009 8624 so that we can provide you with the best support. You’ll have to accept a self-declaration that confirms you are a person with a disability and that a registered Medical Specialist or Health Professional has confirmed your disability. Once you’ve successfully registered, you’ll start enjoying the benefits of Vodacom’s specialised services.

Specific Needs Contact Centre

We have a Specific Needs Contact Centre that’s exclusively available to customers who have the various disabilities listed above. To receive preferential treatment from our Customer Service channels, simply email 12580@vodacom.co.za, or SMS 12580 from a Vodacom SIM, or call 08212580 free from a Vodacom SIM. You can also use the hashtag #specificneeds on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram to receive priority customer service

Prioritised Repairs

As a person with a disability, your mobile device will be prioritised when you book it in for repairs (depending on the nature of the damage). During the book-in process, all you have to do is inform the consultant that you’re a person with a disability, and they’ll be sure to prioritise your repair.

National Relay Service

One of the most exciting innovations in Vodacom’s specific needs service is our National Relay Service (NRS), which enables Deaf, hearing, and speech-impaired persons to contact hearing people (like their family, friends and organisations) in real-time and on their own without having to ask a friend or someone else to make the call. If you’re a registered Vodacom prepaid and/or postpaid customer who is Deaf and who uses South African Sign Language (SASL), you can place a video call to hearing persons via our specially trained Relay Officers (RO), who will facilitate communication between you and the hearing person.

Free SMS Bundle

Vodacom subscribers who have hearing impairments (Deaf, hearing impaired/loss) can also apply for a free SMS bundle for the Hearing Impaired product by completing the relevant Application Form. You can find out more about that in-store or online on the Vodacom website.

SMS and Data Only Bundles

If you have communication barriers (like those listed above) and you prefer not to use voice calls, you shouldn’t have to pay for unnecessary voice costs. With that in mind, Vodacom offers monthly contract deals consisting of only data and SMS.

For more stories about how Vodacom is driving inclusion in South Africa, click here.