An apparatus for enabling hands free activation of a telephone includes a base, a telephone unit and a mechanical actuator via which a user can activate the telephone unit without using his or her hands. The telephone unit has an ON/OFF button that can be switched between an ON state and an OFF state. The mechanical actuator is operable by a user's chin and is mountable to the base. The actuator is disposed above the telephone unit and aligned with the ON/OFF switch so that pressing down on the actuator switches the ON/OFF button between its two states. This telephone unit, when used in conjunction with a voice recognition dialing service allows the user to place calls without the use of his or her hands. The telephone unit is coupled to the base and is activated by activation of the ON/OFF switch via the user's chin or other body part.