Modern cellular phones are growing increasingly complex and have reached the point where even dialing a number and placing a call can be difficult, especially for those with a variety of visual or cognitive disabilities, as well as the elderly. Phones, such as GreatCall's Jitterbug, which provides a large screen, large buttons, a yes-no based interface, and one-button access to an operator, are helpful, but often to a limited market.

PhotoTacs is designed to be an image-based dialing interface for touch-screen phones, allowing users to easily dial and edit contacts. Originally designed for individuals with cognitive impairments, it currently is being adapted to be flexible to meet the needs of many disabilities, with validation testing being planned. It currently is written in C#.NET Mobile but may be adapted to other phone platforms.