A Calgarian who is visually impaired was being charged for new technology that is supposed to be free.

The Apple iPhone comes with VoiceOver software that is designed to help blind customers use the product.

"The VoiceOver for the apple product is superior to almost any accessibility software out there right now," says Lee Veitch.

At this point, Rogers is the only store licenced to sell iPhones in Canada.

Veitch went to buy one but was told by a store employee there would be a $15/month fee to get the phone to function with the software.

CTV News contacted Apple about the charge and was told the software is supposed to be included with the phone at no extra cost.

Advocates for the visually impaired are upset by the idea that the blind are expected to pay extra for a feature they require.

"It should be an equal playing field for everyone, why shouldn't everything be accessible, why shouldn't it be free," says Steve Brown from VoicePrint.

Rogers says the software should be free and it never intended to charge visually impaired people for the feature.

"I think the staff was going on an assumption this was an application form the Apple Store, which normally you have to pay for except for those free applications," says Odette Coleman, the director of regional communications for Rogers. "The customer was given the wrong information and we apologize for that."

Rogers says it will be informing staff across the country that the VoiceOver software should come at no charge to customers.