iOS Accessibility Resources

By: Carmen Willings
teachingvisuallyimpaired.com
​April 10, 2020​

Apple Accessibility for Vision

Apple provides tutorials on their website on how to make iOS devices accessible for individuals who are blind or have low vision. Here you will find information on all built in accessibility features. 

AppleVis

AppleVis is a community-powered website for individuals who are blind and low-vision users of Apple's range of Mac computers, the iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple Watch, and Apple TV. The encourage and support people in exploring the many ways in which Apple products and related applications can offer opportunities to the vision-impaired for personal enrichment, independence and empowerment. Additionally, they offer resources and mechanisms for raising awareness of the accessibility of Apple products and related applications, and for promoting further advancement in accessibility.

Braille displays supported by iOS devices

You can use VoiceOver on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch and a Bluetooth enabled braille display to read and navigate. Apple Support provides a list of supported braille displays on their Braille Displays Supported by iOS page. To ensure that your braille display uses the correct table, make sure that you have the latest version of iOS. 

Instructional Videos by Hadley

The Hadley School for the Blind has created a list of tutorial videos on using accessibility features. ​
  • Low Vision Features (e.g. Exploring the Low Vision Settings, Beginning Zoom Gestures, Using the Magnifier Filters, Setting up Smart Invert, Using the Speak Screen Feature, Accessing the Zoom Quick Menus, Accessing the Zoom Controller)
  • Exploring the Device with VoiceOver (e.g. Phone X VoiceOver Gestures, Turning On & Off VoiceOver Gestures, Setting Accessibility Shortcuts, Beginning VoiceOver Gestures, Advanced VoiceOver Gestures, Using the Rotor, Adding Elements to the Rotor, Accessing the Control Center, Adding Control Center Items, Navigating the Notification Center, Navigating the Today Screen, Searching in Settings, Arranging Apps)
  • Every Day Tasks (e.g. Setting an alarm, Creating a Calendar Event, Checking the Weather, Setting Do Not Disturb, Using the Timer, Using the Stopwatch, Using the World Clock, Creating a Dropbox Account, Exploring the Dropbox Interface, Importing a File to Dropbox, Sharing a Dropbox File, Exploring the Seeing AI App - VoiceOver, Exploring the Seeing AI App - Low Vision)
  • Communication (e.g. Placing and Receiving Calls, Checking Voicemail, Sending a Text Message, Sending an Audio Text Message, Composing and Sending an Email, Exploring the Email Action Features, Adding a New Contact) 
  • Using Siri to Perform Tasks (e.g. Phone Calls with Siri Texting with Siri, Reminders with Siri, Walking Directions with Siri)
  • Web Browsing (e.g. Setting Bookmarks in Safari, Using the Safari Reader, Searching in Safari)
  • Reading (e.g. Using the Voice Dream Reader App, Exploring the BARD Mobile App, Exploring the BARD Bookshelf, Downloading BARD Books and Magazines, Exploring the BARD Settings, Exploring the BARD Book Player, Downloading a Hadley Course to the BARD Mobile App, Pairing a Refreshable Braille Device)
  • Writing (e.g. Typing on Your iDevice, Exploring the Notes App, Using the Dictation Feature, Selecting, copying and Pasting Text)
  • Entertainment (e.g. Exploring the Music Library, Creating a Music Playlist, Turning On Audio Descriptions AutoPlay, Finding Audio Descriptions in iTunes, Searching and Downloading from the App Store)

Use Switch Control to navigate your iOS

Provide a means for students to access the iOS device using a switch. This page from Apple Accessibility shows you how to use a switch for access.

ECC Instruction

Teaching Strategies
Compensatory Skills
Concept Development
Alternative Communication
Emergent Literacy
​Access Print
​Access Environmental Print
Pre-Braille 
Braille Code
​​Braille Formatting
​Braillewriter​​Slate & Stylus​​Tactile Graphics​Nemeth Code​Access Classes​Abacus ​Organize​​Study Skills​Time Management​​​​Listening Skills
Assistive Technology
Social Skills
Self Determination
Self Determination Skills
Sensory Efficiency
Sensory Input
​​​Sensory Areas & Rooms​​​Auditory ReadinessVisual Efficiency Skills​Optical Device Instruction​Tactual Efficiency​Tactile Readiness ​
Independent Living
Personal Care
Hygiene & GroomingPersonal HealthHousehold Skills
Shopping & Consumerism
  • Shopping
  • Grocery Stores
  • Grocery Shopping
  • Expiration Dates
Eating & Table MannersClothing IdentificationTelephone
  • Telephone Use
Food PreparationMoney & Budget
  • ​Money & Budget
  • Money Management
  • Receipts​
  • Payment Methods
  • Buying or Packing Lunch
  • Personal Belongings
  • Paying with Checks
  • Interpret a Warranty
  • School Fundraisers
  • Housing Decisions
  • Paying Bills
  • Vending Machine Purchase
Service Agencies
  • Service Agencies
​Safety
  • General Home Safety
  • Emergencies
  • Evacuations
  • Seeking Shelter
  • Accidents & First Aid
  • Internet Safety
  • Safety
  • Using Locks
Orientation & Mobility
Recreation & Leisure
Career & Vocational
Job AwarenessMaintain Job
  • Address Employer Concerns
  • Maintain Employment
  • Following School Rules
  • Work Related Skills
  • Assuming Responsibilities