In recent years, Apple has introduced a number of iOS accessibility features aimed at improving the inclusivity of their suite of digital products and devices, which assist individuals with disabilities in using iOS devices more effectively. Apple is famous for it’s cross-device integration, and this aspect proves especially beneficial to people with disabilities. This article will explore some of the most valuable iOS accessibility features across the interaction modes of vision, hearing, speech, cognitive and mobility impairments.
Vision accessibility features in iOS are designed to empower individuals with visual barriers, yet many people find them useful without having any visual impairments. Their suite of tools includes screen readers, magnification options, and tactile feedback, ensuring users can confidently navigate their devices and digital content.
VoiceOver is a comprehensive screen reader feature integrated into iOS, that provides audible descriptions and spoken feedback for all on-screen elements, including icons, buttons, text, and images, enabling users to navigate their devices with ease and precision. Users can explore content by touch, with VoiceOver providing context-sensitive information through spoken text-to-speech output and unique gestures. VoiceOver also supports Braille displays, allowing users to access iOS devices through Braille input and output. With continuous updates and improvements, Apple has made VoiceOver a popular choice amongst screen reader users.
Leveraging the device’s camera, Magnifier transforms the iPhone or iPad into a portable magnifying glass, and can be activated quickly through settings or by triple-clicking the device’s side button. Once activated, the camera zooms in on the object or text in focus, and users can adjust the zoom level for optimal clarity. This feature is excellent for tasks like reading fine print, examining details in photographs, or deciphering small labels, empowering people with low vision to engage more independently with their surroundings and printed materials.
Live Text enables users to extract and interact with text content within photos and camera captures, by allowing users to select, copy, look up, or translate text directly from images. Live Text extends its utility across various apps and contexts, making it easier for users to access essential information without relying solely on text-to-speech or braille output. Whether reading a restaurant menu, identifying product labels, or capturing handwritten notes, Live Text empowers individuals with visual impairments to navigate the visual world with newfound independence and efficiency.
Hearing accessibility features offered by iOS play a pivotal role in making digital communication and content accessible. These features are designed to break down barriers and ensure that individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing can fully participate in the digital world.
Sound Recognition is a feature available on iPhone and iPad that listens for certain sounds such as home appliances that beep to alert people they are finished, a ringing doorbell, and smoke detection alarms. It can recognise 15 different sounds by itself, however can also be trained to recognise unique sounds specific to a personal environment.
Devices working seamlessly together with all features and apps integrated across mobile phones, tablets, and wearables for example, makes a product suite a lot more desirable for most, but is especially effective when you have a disability and a specific tech set up. One lesser known way in which Apple have aimed to improve the lives of their users is through teaming up with the manufacturers of hearing aids, cochlear implants and sounds processors. This allows audiologists to help their patients achieve an intricate level of specification for individual needs through presets that can help in situations such as being in a loud environment.
These features are designed to empower users with speech disabilities or conditions to express themselves, interact with their devices, and engage in conversations, regardless of their speech-related challenges.
Live Speech is available across all of Apple’s main devices, including the Apple Watch wearable. This tool allows people to type anything they would like to say and have their device speak it out loud. This is particularly beneficial to people who have difficulty speaking due to a speech disability such as a speech impediment or a brain injury, or people who would prefer to communicate without speaking. It also allows users to save commonly used phrases, making it quicker and easier for them to respond.
A newer feature that Apple have released called Personal Voice is an innovative machine learning solution that allows people to record their voice using a few prompts, enabling their device to create a voice that sounds like them. This was developed for people who are at risk of losing their voice through various conditions that impact speech such as muscle weakness or degenerative diseases like Huntington’s disease or Parkinsons. Personal Voice works with Live Speech so people can use their Apple devices to type what they would like to say, and it will be spoken aloud in their own voice. Apple and Taika Waititi made a beautiful short film called The Lost Voice about this new feature that illustrates the meaningful way a feature like this can change lives.
Siri Pause Time is a useful tool that enables people to adjust the time it takes Siri to respond to requests. This customisation is beneficial to anyone that has difficulty speaking and would otherwise be interrupted by Siri when trying to make requests, allowing them to make Apple’s speech recognition technology behave in a way that works for their needs and preferred speed.
iOS includes several cognitive accessibility features designed to assist individuals with cognitive disabilities or challenges, that aim to simplify interactions, reduce distractions, and enhance overall usability.
Guided Access allows users to lock their device into a single app, limiting access to other apps or features. This feature is beneficial for individuals with cognitive disabilities such as ADHD who may get easily distracted or confused when using multiple apps. Caregivers and educators can also use Guided Access to ensure focused and uninterrupted use of specific apps for learning or therapy purposes.
iOS offers the option to create a simplified home screen with larger app icons and fewer distractions. This can help users with cognitive challenges find and launch apps more easily, promoting independence and reducing frustration.
iOS allows users to reduce motion and transparency effects, creating a simpler and more predictable user interface. This can be particularly helpful for individuals who may experience discomfort or sensory overload due to complex visual animations. An example of this would be reducing the motion of a website that has parallax scrolling, where a website’s background content is moved at a different speed than the foreground content as you scroll. Ironically this is used a lot on Apple’s product marketing websites. However, this trend can cause seizures in people who have vestibular disorders, so it’s very important for them to be able to control the motion on the page to avoid this.
While primarily designed for users with visual impairments, Speak Screen can also benefit individuals with cognitive disabilities. It allows users to have specific content of the screen read aloud rather than the whole page while using VoiceOver, making it easier to understand and process information, especially when reading long articles or complex text.
iOS offers a range of accessibility features designed to assist individuals with mobility disabilities in independently navigating and using their devices more effectively. Some key features tailored to address mobility-related challenges include:
1. Switch ControlSwitch Control is a feature that allows users to interact with their iOS devices using external switches or adaptive devices. Users can customise switch inputs and assign them to various device actions, such as navigating menus, selecting items, and even typing. This feature provides a high level of customisation and control for people with quadriplegia from spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
AssistiveTouch offers on-screen touch controls and gestures, and is particularly beneficial for individuals who have difficulty with physical button presses or touch screen interactions, such as those with muscular dystrophy. Users can customise AssistiveTouch to create virtual buttons, gestures, and shortcuts, simplifying common tasks and device navigation.
Voice Control not only aids users with speech or cognitive disabilities, but also offers significant benefits to individuals with limited mobility. By using voice commands, users can navigate menus, launch apps, compose messages, and perform various tasks without the need for physical touch or gestures.
iOS includes an Accessibility Keyboard that can be activated in place of the standard keyboard. This keyboard provides customisable options, including key size, layout, and predictive text, making it easier for users with mobility impairments to type and communicate efficiently and accurately.
iOS allows users to create custom gestures to trigger specific actions or commands. Individuals with mobility disabilities can design gestures that match their unique physical capabilities, enabling them to interact with their devices comfortably and access various functionalities.
Apple has made efforts to incorporate accessibility features across its range of products, including iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watches. While these features are intended to improve accessibility, their effectiveness may vary, and users’ experiences with them may differ. Apple encourages user feedback to refine and enhance these features over time, aiming to provide a more inclusive user experience.
If you have any queries to relating to digital or physical accessibility our expert consultants are here to help!
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