Visual Accessibility Features

Display & Text Size
Customize visual appearance to reduce eye strain and improve readability:
  • Increase text size.
  • Enable bold text.
  • Adjust contrast and color filters.
  • Use smart or classic color inversion.
  • Reduce screen transparency and adjust brightness.
How to Access: Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size
​Magnifier
Turn your iOS device into a digital magnifying glass:
  • Use the Magnifier app to enlarge printed materials, labels, and objects.
  • Adjust filters, brightness, and contrast in real time.
  • Add the magnifier to the control center for easy access!
Enable in: Settings > Accessibility > Magnifier
Zoom
A built-in screen magnifier that works anywhere on the device:
  • Double-tap with three fingers to zoom in/out.
  • Drag with three fingers to move around the screen.
  • Add the magnifier to the control center for easy access!
Enable in: Settings > Accessibility > Zoom

​Auditory & Spoken Feedback Features

​VoiceOver
A gesture-based screen reader that speaks everything on the screen:
  • Works with apps, text, web pages, and more.
  • Allows users to navigate without needing to see the screen.
Enable in: Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver
Spoken Content
Provides spoken feedback for selected text or the full screen:
  • Speak Selection: Tap to hear highlighted text.
  • Speak Screen: Swipe down with two fingers to read all on-screen text.
  • Customize voice, speaking rate, and highlight color.
Enable in: Settings > Accessibility > Spoken Content

​Touch & Interaction Supports

​AssistiveTouch
Assists users who have difficulty with physical gestures:
  • Replaces multi-finger or hardware button gestures.
  • Create custom actions like single-tap for double-tap or pinching.
Enable in: Settings > Accessibility > Touch > AssistiveTouch
Guided Access
Locks the iPad into a single app, limiting access to other areas:
  • Disable navigation buttons and touch input on selected areas.
  • Ideal for students with attention or sensory challenges.
Enable in: Settings > Accessibility > Guided Access
(Then triple-click the Home or Side button to activate)
Use Guided Access to maintain student focus during instruction.

​Voice Input and Control

​Dictation
Converts speech into text:
  • Tap the microphone on the keyboard and speak.
  • Great for writing, note-taking, and messaging.
Enable in: Settings > General > Keyboard > Enable Dictation
​Siri
Apple’s intelligent voice assistant can:
  • Send messages, place calls, open apps, and adjust settings.
  • Turn on VoiceOver or other accessibility features with voice commands.
Activate Siri by: ​Holding the Home or Side button, or saying “Hey Siri”

​External Input Options

​QWERTY Bluetooth Keyboard
  • Pair an external keyboard for faster and more accurate typing.
  • Useful for students who find the touchscreen difficult to use.
Pair in: Settings > Bluetooth > Enable and select the keyboard
Refreshable Braille Display
iOS devices support over 70 braille displays for navigation and input:
  • Pair a Bluetooth braille display to use braille input commands.
  • Compatible with VoiceOver for spoken and braille access.
Enable in: Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver > Braille
Multitasking & Navigation Gestures
  • Swipe up from the bottom to access the App Switcher (or press Home twice on devices with a button).
  • Swipe left/right to switch between recent apps.
  • Tap Home once to return to the Home screen (or swipe up fully on Face ID devices).
AssistiveTouch can replicate these gestures for users with motor difficulties.

Learn More: Apple Accessibility Resources

Explore more accessibility tools across Apple platforms, including vision, hearing, motor, and cognitive support: Apple Accessibility Website
Or visit: Settings > Accessibility > [Explore all categories]

Printable Resources

Looking for more VI AT printable resources? Supporting printables for VI AT Instruction can be found on the following AT pages. Subscribers can access these ready-to-use materials designed to support instruction and planning.
The following Voice Over Gesture Commands pdf is located on the tablet and phone printables page. 
Preview of Voice Over Gesture Commands
Voice Over Gesture Commands

Resource Access

Instructional articles on this site are open access and do not require an account. Free Members may access select free resources and goal banks.
Downloadable printable resources, lesson plans, recorded presentations, and ECC instructional units are available to Premium Subscribers.

Full Article List

Guide: Start Here
Tools (VI Basics)
Plan: Referrals & Eligibility
Referral & Eligibility​ ​Medical Vision Information 
FVLMALow Vision Evaluations
Other Evaluations
Plan: IEP Planning
Plan: Collaboration & Accessibility
​Collaboration Accessible Materials ​Classroom Access Instructional Access Technology Access ​Additional Supports Service Delivery Models  ​
Teach: Compensatory Skills
Compensatory Skills
Concept Development ​Alternative Communication ​Emergent Literacy ​Braille Code
​Beginning Braille ​ Braille Fluency & Comprehension  Writing Braille ​​​Nemeth Code Instruction 
​​​Tactile Graphics ​Print Concepts ​​Abacus  ​​Organization Skills​ ​​Study Skills ​​Time Management
Teach: Sensory Efficiency Skills
​Auditory & Listening Skills ​​Visual Efficiency Skills ​​Optical Device Use ​Tactile Readiness
Teach: Assistive Technology 
AT Overview ​AT Use & Maintenance Braille AT ​iOS Instruction Audio Access​ ​Video Magnifiers ​​​Basic Computer Use Computer Access ​Productivity
Teach: Social Skills
Social Skill Basics​
Non-Verbal Skills​​​​ Verbal Communication Skills Cooperative Skills Identity & Self-Awareness ​Interactions & Relationships Managing Challenges & Safety
Teach: Self Determination
Teach: Independent Living Skills
Personal Care ​Hygiene & Grooming ​Personal Health Mealtime Skills ​​​ Food Preparation
Household Skills Clothing Management ​Money & Budget Shopping & Consumerism Phone Use ​Safety & Emergency Preparedness ​​Services & Community Resources
Teach: Orientation & Mobility
Teach: Recreation & Leisure
Teach: Career & Vocational
Printables
Free Resources​ Premium Resource Library 
Teaching Strategy Printables 
​Premium Program Printables
​Premium FVLMA Printables
​ECC PrintablesCompensatory Skills Printables
Sensory Efficiency Printables
Assistive Technology Printables
Social Skills Printables
Self Determination Printables
Independent Living Printables
Recreation & Leisure Printables
Career & Vocational Printables
Evelyn Jane Stories 
Learn: Teaching Strategies & Planning
Learn: ​ECC Units
Beginning of the Year Units ​​Fall UnitsWinter Units ​​Winter Units ​​Spring UnitsAnytime Units
Learn: ​Interactive Activities
Learn: Recorded Presentations
Learn: Complete Set Bonus ​