Bill Holton
Did you once use an iPhone, only now your vision has faded and you fear you'll have to return to your old clamshell model because you simply won't get the hang of pressing buttons and issuing commands on a flat slab of glass? Perhaps family members have been urging you to get a mobile device so they can reach you more easily? Or maybe you are that family member and you want to learn to use the iPhone's built-in accessibility features so you can tutor your loved one and help him or her become more independent. No matter the reason, begin your journey with the iOS Settings app. There you'll find the Accessibility, menu, which includes a number of built-in features for users who are blind or low vision. Low vision settings include the ability to magnify what's on the screen and adjust display brightness and contrast. Blind and other print-disabled users will also be able to use the device with VoiceOver, the built-in touchscreen reader that speaks text, buttons, and other information in the voice, speed, and volume of your choice.
An accessible smartphone has arguably offered the visually impaired community more independence and opportunity than any other 21st Century device. It can literally enhance your quality of life. If you don't believe this, check out this morning-to-bedtime guide detailing just some of the things you can accomplish with an iPhone or iPad: A Day in the Life: Technology that Assists a Visually Impaired Person Throughout the Day. In this article I hope to offer a bit of encouragement and inspiration to the first-time iOS accessibility user, or to those who wish to teach them. Along the way I'll tap the shared knowledge of several experts, including members of the dedicated team of AccessWorld authors. Along the way you'll also find links to various resources that can help you learn more about iOS accessibility.
Don't Give Up
The learning curve for screen magnification users isn't quite as steep as it is for new VoiceOver users. You've likely used other magnifiers in the past, even if it's just a pair of reading glasses and a large print cookbook or two. But a touchscreen that starts chattering every time you touch it can be rather disconcerting.
"An accessible, gesture-based device can be intimidating at first, but remember, your goal isn't to learn everything at once," says Michael Hanson, editorial team member of AppleVis, one of the premier resources for users of Apple products. "If you expect to know everything about using VoiceOver the first day, you are going to be disappointed. Instead, take it one step at a time," recommends Hanson, who also teaches seniors to use iPhones and other touch devices at the Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind.
"Whether it's simply making and receiving phone calls, sending and receiving text messages or checking emails, focus on one or two tasks and practice them. Don't learn the technology—learn to use the technology to accomplish what you want to do." Getting Started With iOS and iPadOS is a helpful guide from AppleVis.
Former AccessWorld editor Lee Huffman agrees. "A lot of beginning iPhone users get confused because there are simply too many icons on their screen. It makes it more challenging to find the app you want." Most beginning iPhone users make do with just a few apps. "If all you want to do is make phone calls, send text messages, and browse Facebook, why not simply delete other unneeded apps?" To delete an app using VoiceOver, perform a one-finger swipe left or right until the app name is spoken, and follow with a one-finger swipe down. Double tap on "Delete" and then select "Remove app from home screen." Your screen will be that much less cluttered, and the apps you remove will be stored invisibly in your app library where they can easily be reinstalled when you're ready to give them a try.
The Trouble with Touch
Most new touchscreen reader users feel a bit out of control when they first try swiping, scrubbing or double tapping a flat screen. Many press too hard, or swipe from side to side with a follow-through any professional golfer would envy. Remember that old manual typewriter you once used and how hard it was to switch to a computer keyboard because you tended to pound the keys? Going from physical buttons to touch is a lot like that. "It takes time and practice to develop a light and gentle touch," says Hanson, who offers this useful tip: "One of the best ways to think about swiping is to pretend you're stroking a cat with one finger. A gentle touch is all you need. Press too hard and the cat's out of there."
Another handy way to improve your VoiceOver touch skills is by accessing VoiceOver Practice in the device's Accessibility menu. You can also tap the screen twice in rapid succession with all four fingers to begin a practice session. In practice mode, your device will describes the function of any tap or swipe you perform. End the session with a second four finger double tap. A "double tap" gesture is when you tap the screen with one, two, three or even four fingers twice in quick succession—by default a quarter second or less. If you find this skill difficult to master you can lengthen the timespan your device will recognize your gesture as a double tap. Open your device's Accessibility settings and choose the VoiceOver option. Scroll down to the bottom and choose the "Double tap time out" option. Enter a new, longer time length here, then give it a try and make further adjustments if necessary. More details can be found on AppleVis: How to slow down the double tap speed on iOS.
"Entering emails or other text using the touch keyboard can take some time to get used to," says Janet Ingber, AccessWorld contributor and author of the book Mac Basics for the Beginning User: macOS 11 Big Sur Update. "Consider purchasing a Bluetooth keyboard and using it to enter large blocks of texts, or even to enter gestures while you're learning," she says. For a full list of iOS keyboard commands check out: VoiceOver iOS Gesture/Keyboard Commands & Apple Accessibility Resources.
When Your Fingers Refuse to Cooperate
For some there are medical or motor control issues that limit the ability to perform touch gestures, or even to type on a Bluetooth keyboard. Apple has you covered here, too, with an accessibility feature called Voice Control.
"With Voice Control you can navigate and interact with your device using your voice to tap, swipe, and even dictate text," says Shelly Brisbin, author of iOS Access for All: Your Comprehensive Guide to Accessibility for iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch.
The feature requires a quick download, and is available for devices running iOS 13 or later, or iPadOS. "With Voice Control enabled, you can speak commands the same as though you were actually touching the screen," notes Brisbin. "Say 'One finger swipe left,' for example, to move the highlighted icon to the next app on your home screen. Or 'Compose mail,' in the Mail app to begin a new email." Speaking "Show me what to say," will list all available commands for your current screen."
Low vision users with motor issues can also set the Voice Control screen to create a command overlay, using either control names or numbers to help simplify a too-busy screen. Touch commands can then be issued by speaking an iOS command such as "Tap," followed by either the control name or number, depending on which overlay you have selected. More information on Voice Control can be found at this Apple Support page: Use Voice Control on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
Another useful iOS accessibility feature for low vision users with limited motor control is AssistiveTouch. This feature allows you to substitute taps and swipes to accommodate your individual needs and abilities. You can also create custom gestures to perform commands, even multiple commands, such as drawing a smiley face to initiate a Facetime call with your spouse.
We've already mentioned using a Bluetooth keyboard to make using your device easier. With AssistiveTouch you can also connect your iOS device using Bluetooth and USB trackpads, joysticks, and mouse devices. More information on Assistive Touch is available through Apple Support: Use AssistiveTouch on iPhone.
Low Vision Help
As stated above, the iPhone and iPad include a wealth of low vision accessibility features. "This doesn't mean that a bit of speech won't also come in handy when you're eyes get tired or the print turns too small to read comfortably," says Steven Kelly, AccessWorld author and Learning Expert at Hadley, which offers this series of workshops on the topic: iPhone/iPad: Low Vision Features Series. Kelly advises:
In the Accessibility Settings look for the Spoken Content option. Two great features are Speak Selection, and Speak Screen. Both options provide "text to speech lite" for users who might benefit from having some text read out loud. With Speak Screen turned on, a two-finger swipe down the screen will read whatever's on the screen. This is perfect for emails, long texts, or documents in a font size that's too small to read. When Speak screen starts, it displays a dialog box that offers options for changing the speaking rate, pausing the speech and stopping the reading. Speak Selection works in a similar way. Instead of reading the page from top to bottom, the user selects the text to be read, and "Speak" appears in as one of the context menu items.
While VoiceOver requires a bit more of a learning curve, remember, it can be turned on and off with Siri—just say "Turn VoiceOver on/off." VoiceOver will offer more options for reading text than either Speak Screen, or Speak Selection, so the low vision user may want to turn it on for reading longer text, then turn it back off. More information on spoken content is available through Apple Support: Hear iPhone speak the screen, selected text, and typing feedback.
When You Have Trouble Hearing
"If you have even minor hearing loss, instead of using your device's speaker consider using the included headphones," advises Deborah Kendrick, AccessWorld contributor and author of When Your Ears Can't Help You See: Strategies for Blind or Low Vision Individuals with Hearing Loss. "At the same volume you will hear the content much clearer if you have the audio sent directly into the middle of your head," she says.
Many models of hearing aids will connect via Bluetooth to your iPhone or iPad and send the audio directly through your aid. If you are not yet using hearing aids Kendrick recommends a Control Center app called Live Listen. Connect either wired or Bluetooth headphones and your iPhone or iPad will route nearby sound through the built-in microphones and into the headphones. "This can be particularly handy in a noisy restaurant," Kendrick says. "Place the phone in the middle of the table and it will be much easier to keep up with the conversation." You can also place your Live Listen enabled iPhone in front of the TV for quick and easy amplification. Of course unless you plan to sit very close to the set you will need a pair of Bluetooth headphones.
To access Live Listen, slide one finger down from the top of the screen until you hear and feel the second "click." Swipe until you find the Hearing devices choice, then double tap and choose Live Listen. Apple Support offers more information on using iOS with a hearing impairment: Hearing accessibility features in iOS.
Getting help
Still can't figure things out? Apple maintains a special Accessibility Hotline, which you can reach by calling 877-204-3930. Technicians can answer questions regarding Apple's accessibility features, problem solve, and even—with your permission—connect to your phone for a screen sharing session. For more, visit the Apple Accessibility Support page.
This article is made possible in part by generous funding from the James H. and Alice Teubert Charitable Trust, Huntington, West Virginia.
