There is something magical about dictation. Spoken words are rapidly turned to text. The instantaneous nature is pretty amazing, but the best thing is dictation takes the place of typing.
Whether you have a visual impairment, or not, typing on a tiny touchscreen keyboard is a tedious task. That is why more and more people are becoming dictators.
In Apple iOS devices, Dictation is available whenever there is a keyboard on screen. The Dictation button is the microphone icon at the lower right corner or left of the Space Bar, depending on device. If the microphone key is not there, first go to Settings and click General, next click Keyboard, now go to Enable Dictation and turn on.
Here are the steps for dictating with iPhone or iPad.
Tap on the Dictation / microphone button below the keyboard and be prepared to start speaking following the single ding tone.
Finish speaking and tap again, you will hear a second single ding and your spoken words will appear in the text field.
(With Apple’s VoiceOver screen reader use a two-finger double tap to activate Dictation, and a second two-finger double tap to stop, VoiceOver then reads the text aloud.)
iPhone screenshot shows microphone button on search bar and below keyboard.
Speak clearly for best results. Noisy environments will create conflict. Dictate one sentence at a time for accuracy. Correct errors on imperfect transcripts or delete all and try, try again.
To include punctuation, just say so. Finish a sentence with a “period” or a “question mark.” Follow a salutation with a “comma“ or a “colon.” Also say, “new line,” new paragraph,” “all caps,” “apostrophe,” “hyphen,” or “exclamation mark.”
Practicing can actually be fun, so go ahead and do it. You’ll be a powerful dictator in no time!
Volunteerism is alive and well as demonstrated every day in the Be My Eyes app. The concept was conceived in 2012 by furniture craftsman Hans Jørgen Wiberg, who began losing his vision twenty-five years prior. It was his idea to provide access to sighted assistance for people with low vision or blindness. The app name leaves no doubt about its purpose. I recall being incredibly impressed in the early days of BME, when there were 150,000 volunteers, today there are over 6.4 million helping more than 480,000 people with vision loss. The fact that so many are interested in lending their eyes to a total stranger, is a testament to humanity.
Built on the kind assistance of humans, the BME app is now testing a “Virtual Volunteer” powered by ChatGPT-4. If you want to be part of the beta testing process, there is a registration page on the app, but no guarantee you’ll get in, there is a waiting list. In a post on Mashable, one of the participating testers, Lucy Edwards, is reported to have used the conversational AI tool as tour guide, food blog, reader of restaurant menus and fashion catalogs, language translator and personal trainer. It will be very interesting to see how this develops, live human kindness vs. Ai chatbot.
For now the all-live volunteers are able to offer their service, at times that are convenient to them. BME creates an opportunity to give back in a sort of micro-lending kind of way, in small increments of time, free of rigid scheduling commitments. The visually impaired user is able to call for help whenever it is needed, without feeling they are imposing. The volunteers are logged in because they are ready and willing to help someone, possibly you.
The app, available for iOS and Android, is designed with a fittingly friendly user interface.The two main options on the uncomplicated homepage are “Call a Volunteer” -or- “Get Trained Support”.Expert company representatives are available in the categories of: Assistive Technology, Beauty & Grooming, Blindness Organizations, Careers, Civic Engagement, Food & Beverage, Home & Cleaning, Personal Health or Technical Support. Participating companies include: Google, LinkedIn, Microsoft, Spotify, Pantene, Hadley, Lighthouse San Francisco, Accessible Pharmacy, Rite Aid and more.
The service is active in 150 countries and available in 185 languages.When you call a volunteer, BME sends out the request to the nearest available volunteers by location and language.There is no limit to the number of calls or time spent, however it is best to say, at the start of a call, if you expect the call to be lengthy.The app provides a rating system to register feedback about your experience, good or bad.
Here are 100 Ways to Use BME. I have used the app for assistance reading a thermostat, setting the oven temperature, reading hand-written notes and product directions.All these encounters with BME volunteers were pleasant, constructive and successful.There is a “Community” tab at the bottom of every page worth exploring for inspiring stories from users and volunteers.
And, by the way, all Be My Eyes Services are free.
Blue and white Be My Eyes logo with white text on black background.
Vision loss is an element of aging, but that is not to say it is out of our control. To what degree we experience changes in eyesight actually has a good deal to do with nutrition and lifestyle. It is really never too soon to begin taking care of your eyes. Starting young and developing good habits can help maintain visual function for the long term. No matter where you’re at in life, thinking about preserving your precious sight should compel action. Here are 5 good habits that can counteract the degenerating aspects of aging on the eyes.
Ripe tomatoes with fresh basil, garlic, and herbs.
Eat right and save sight.
Enjoy a nutrient-rich diet, emphasizing fish high in omega-3, a colorful assortment of whole fruits and veggies, along with plenty of citrus and lots of leafy greens, legumes, olive oil, nuts and grains.
The Mediterranean diet is known to keep the heart and brain in peak condition and to lower the cancer risk. A new study shows it can also significantly lessen the long-term effects of age-related macular degeneration. Read more about the study from American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO).
Prevent sun damage and injury to your eyes.
The importance of shielding eyes from the damaging rays of the sun cannot be overstated. Be sure your sunglasses block out at least 99% of UV rays. Wear safety goggles or protective glasses when engaged in sports or when working with hazardous and airborne materials. Read our 10 tips on keeping your eyes protected.
Don’t smoke.
Smoking is the most common factor in developing macular degeneration. It also contributes to cataracts and damage to the optic nerve. Smoking causes vasoconstriction, which restricts the blood supply to the eyes.
Get your eyes checked annually.
An annual comprehensive eye exam is essential at every age. It will help keep your eyes healthy and detect any early changes or the onset of disease. Early detection remains the most important factor in preventing loss of sight.
Give your eyes a break.
The computer screens our eyes spend so much time trained on, can and will cause blurry vision, dry eyes, difficulty focusing and general strain to the eye, neck and back. Get into the habit of giving your eyes a rest every 20 minutes by looking away for at least 20 seconds and refocusing into the distance.
And, yes, now is the perfect time to take that break. Go ahead…look away.
Post first published Oct 07, 2018 and updated Mar 17, 2023.
As navigation apps go, for people with visual impairments, Soundscape was one of the few worth discussion. It enhanced awareness of our surroundings, like walking with a friend who describes the environment. So it is disappointing to share the news that Microsoft has discontinued its development. No longer available on the App Store or on Google Play, users with the app currently downloaded to a device will have it until the end of June 2023, at which time it will stop functioning.
The announcement from Microsoft says, in part, “The Soundscape code is now available as open-source software on GitHub at https://github.com/microsoft/soundscape, so that anyone can continue to build on, and find new ways to leverage, this novel feature set for the growing navigation opportunities in today’s world. As Microsoft Research continues to expand into new accessibility innovation areas, we hope the open-source software release of the Soundscape code supports the community in further developing confidence and utility of spatial audio navigation experiences.”
We, too, hope the code helps in the development of new applications and that Microsoft Research will continue to expand into new accessibility innovation.
Microsoft Soundscape 2018: A Review Of What It Can Do
Microsoft is clearly on a mission to advance accessibility for people with vision loss, and that is a very good thing. The past six months have seen the launch of two significant new apps to iPhone users, both intent to give us the information we are unable to discern visually.
The first app, Seeing AI, has very quickly become a crowd favorite. It’s ability to instantly read short text (signs, addresses, labels, and packaging) is reason enough to use it. It also reads documents, product barcodes, currency, color, handwriting and more.
The newest app in this collection is ‘Soundscape,’ a navigation tool, described as a “map delivered in 3D sound.”Not to be confused with the GPS app you’ve been waiting for, there is no turn by turn directions, no specific guidance from point A to point B. And, as we experience with all GPS, there is the issue of accuracy. Putting that aside, this app still has much to offer.
Soundscape provides an enhanced awareness of what’s around you. It’s kind of like walking along with a friend who is pointing out stores, restaurants, structures, and intersections. The information comes in 3D stereo sound, information about what is on your left comes to you from the left, what’s on the right comes from the right, and what’s in front comes from the center. The audio is impressive.
With progressing central vision loss, I have not been privy to the specifics of my surroundings for a while. There is something wondrous about knowing what’s around me in any given spot.You might think you would get used to the not knowing, but the curiosity never really subsides. Soundscape is a bit of a thirst quencher in this way.
Like all technology, you need to work with this and find out what it can do. At first, I must admit to being frustrated by the free-floating information about what’s “around” without any clues for getting to it. Then I started to appreciate the narrative as I learned about places near and new to me. To get this type of information before, I would ask someone I’d be walking with to “Please tell me everything that’s on this street.” The Soundscape app basically does that, just not exactly.You must be aware and accepting, that there is a margin for error.
The greatest benefit I derived from this app is the telling of street names, numbers, and intersections. Before Soundscape, my best method for figuring out what street I was on was to ask Siri, “Where am I?” That approach also not always accurate. Using ‘My Location’ lets me know what street I’m on and what intersection is coming up. I love that!
Microsoft’s Soundscape app main screen.
The Soundscape app has a cleanly designed interface with the following options:
Menu
Select, or search and save, reference points.
Manage Call Outs by selecting the information you want to be called out automatically like Places and Landmarks, Intersections, Destination Distance, Bluetooth Beacons Indoors and Location Updates. Here you will also find Help and Tutorials and Settings.
Set a Beacon
Select a specific location and audio beacon will indicate when you are facing the direction of your selected location, it will not set a path or take you there.
Call Outs On/Off
My Location
Gives you current location, direction facing, nearby roads and points of interest.
Around Me
Tells you about one thing in each direction: ahead, to right, behind you, and to the left.
Ahead of Me
Helps you discover what’s coming up ahead.
Holding the phone flat in your hand with the top facing the direction you are heading will enable it to function like a compass.
Soundscape and Seeing AI apps eat up battery power, so it is well advised to always carry a backup.
It’s very safe to say this is just the beginning for Soundscape and Seeing AI. Microsoft will surely continue to develop and improve these technologies. Try this in your city.You’ll help the progress by sending feedback to [email protected].
And don’t forget, you can always call the Microsoft Disability Answer Desk for help at 800-936-5900.
Please note that this article was not paid for, affiliated with, or endorsed by any third-party companies. The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author’s.
This post was originally published March 16th, 2018 and updated on February 20, 2023
Scam calls, emails and text messages have significantly increased. They attempt to defraud you by tricking you into revealing personal, credit or financial information. So prevalent they have spawned an industry of theft known as phishing by email, smishing by text, and vishing by voice call. Federal Trade Commission data released in 2022 shows that consumers reported losing more than $5.8 billion to fraud in 2021, a whopping increase of more than 70% over the previous year. Of the 2.8 million fraud reports received by the FTC, imposter scams were the most commonly reported, followed by online shopping scams; fake prizes, fake sweepstakes and fake lotteries, and scams involving phony internet services or nonexistent business or job opportunities.
The scams are coming at you on a daily basis, designed to rob your money or steal your identity. They often target older adults with bogus threats related to debts owed or a family member in trouble. When fraud is directed at you personally, it is frightening and very dangerous to your financial accounts. To avoid falling prey, be aware, and be vigilant; although the scenarios presented in scams are fake, the potential for losing thousands of dollars is quite real.
Do Not Engage
Don’t Answer. The absolute best and most effective advice for avoiding phone scams is…do not answer unfamiliar calls, emails or texts. If you answer a contact and realize it could be a scam — disconnect immediately and do not answer when they attempt to contact you again.
Set Call ID. If vision loss prevents you from seeing incoming phone numbers, consider setting your phone to announce the incoming call, or assign a special ringtone to your favorite callers. Contact your carrier to find out if they offer options for blocking calls identified as spam.
Don’t Give Information. Beware of any call or message asking for your personal information including social security number, Medicare ID, date of birth, username, password, mother’s maiden name or credit card info. Government agencies and legitimate businesses do not ask for personal information by phone. Email or text message, if someone does, it is most likely fraud. Confirm the request independently with a call to the company or agency’s customer service line.
Do Not Send Money. Don’t be pressured to send money urgently. Beware of requests for payments by wire transfer, preloaded debit or gift cards, Google Pay, and Bitcoin. Unusual payment methods are almost certainly indicative of a scam
Don’t Be Fooled by phone numbers or email addresses that appear to be legitimate; both can be easily faked by scammers.
Senior man with serious expression talking on phone.
Be Aware Of These Scams
Social Security Scams will try to convince you that someone is fraudulently using your SS# or there is a judgment against you which may lead to your arrest. Never respond to calls or messages of this nature.
Medicare Scams will claim new Medicare cards are being issued or that you are eligible for a free medical device. They will ask for your Medicare and banking information. This is a fraud. Hang up.
IRS Scams involve a call to demand immediate payment for taxes owed, using a prepaid debit card or wire transfer. Hang up on this scam and do not return calls to voicemail messages. The IRS does not collect taxes by phone or request unusual payment methods. The fraud can be easily confirmed by calling the IRS directly.
Grandparent Scam calls or email involve a con artist posing as a family member, lawyer or law enforcement agent reporting serious trouble that urgently requires a wire transfer of funds for bail money, lawyers fees or other fictitious expenses. Don’t believe it, verify the whereabouts of your loved one independently.
FBI Scams claim you are under investigation and demand a fee to avoid arrest.
Fishing Scams involve calls, texts and email that impersonate Apple, Verizon, American Express and JP Morgan Chase, among many others, to claim your account has been compromised and you need to reset. Do not call the number or click the links provided. Instead, verify by calling the company’s published customer service number.
Lottery and Sweepstakes Scams Call or email to inform you that you have won the big prize, but must first pay taxes or fees before it can be released to you. There is absolutely no winning; you can only lose on this one.
No matter what type of scam, the best advice is the same: Do Not Engage! Don’t respond to suspicious calls. If you pick up a questionable call, hang up immediately. Do not call back. Don’t open suspicious emails and don’t open attachments or click links.
Always Protect Your Private Information
Don’t share your passwords, keep them private and update regularly.
Shred documents that contain personal or financial information before discarding.
When using an ATM, cover or block the keypad when entering your PIN.
Use direct deposit for paychecks, tax refunds, benefit payments, etc.
Review financial statements monthly and correct errors.
Review credit report yearly and correct issues.
This article was originally posted July 13, 2019 and updated December 8, 2022.
There are challenges involved in traveling through airports, always, for everyone. Add a visual impairment to the mix and you’ve got an excellent excuse to just stay at home. A travel companion could solve a lot of the problems, but there isn’t always one available. You can request assistance at the airport, but it may arrive holding a sign you cannot read and pushing a wheelchair you do not need.
For a while now we’ve been thinking the best solution to navigating the inside of an airport would come in the form of an interior mapping system and a really, really smart digital assistant. As much as we love the incredible strides technology is helping us take, navigation systems and digital assistants have not yet proven to be precise enough for this task. While we were waiting patiently for that, we started hearing about something called Aira (pronounced I-ra), a technology that depends on humans for accuracy.
Travelers in London Heathrow Airport.
How Aira Works
Turns out, that even in this intensely technological time, people still provide the most dependable source of assistance. Imagine that. Aira is a service that connects you with an agent via smartphone for live remote assistance, they call it “visual interpreting.” This independence-enhancing accessibility solution could possibly take the pain out of asking for help. You are not disturbing anyone; it is exactly what they are there to do.
The agents are trained to guide you. They can see a 120-degree view through the camera of your phone, much more than you’re seeing. Aira customers are called “Explorers,” and that makes it sound a little like we’re playing a game, but why not, perhaps it will make airport travel fun again.
How Much Aira Costs
Aira is a subscription service, now starting at $29 a month for 30 minutes with an agent, $99 for 120 minutes, and up from there. The service is accessed by a mobile app. Paying subscribers can call an agent for assistance navigating through any airport within the service area of North America, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand.
Where Aira is Free
There is also a network of airports that subscribe to Aira and provide free guest access to their customers. At last count, 50+ airports were actively participating in the Aira Network including JFK International, LaGuardia, Newark, Syracuse, Boston Logan, Charlotte Douglas, Dallas Love Field, and Toronto Pearson. A complete list of free airport locations seemed to be elusive. A representative from Aira suggested using the in-app search to find all locations on the network, but that did not render a list either. When in doubt, we suggest calling an agent on the app, or Aira customer service at one of the phone numbers listed below, to confirm if the airport you’re heading to provides the visual interpreting service for free.
An unknown app named OneStep Reader mysteriously appeared in an iOS app update. It became clear upon opening it, this was an old app with a new name. The app, formerly known as KNFB Reader, was taken over from the National Federation of the Blind by Sensotec. Beyond the name and the ownership change, not much else is new, even the $100 purchase price remains the same, which is likely to be its greatest barrier to growth, considering there are many good alternatives at fractions of that cost. It will be interesting to see what Sensotec has in store. Perhaps the most impressive note to this story is how far the OCR technology has traveled to arrive at this place, and how far we’ve come in our expectations.
The article below, published in 2018, provides a brief history of KNFB Reader.
Do you need help reading mail, package info, handouts, cooking directions, price tags, signs? There’s an app for all that. The KNFB Reader converts text to speech, instantly.
It is worth noting: this is technology with a pedigree. Developed by Ray Kurzweil, currently Director of Engineering at Google, he is the father of OCR (Optical Character Recognition). In its original form, it took shape as the Kurzweil Reading Machine for the blind. The year was 1976, the machine was the size of a dishwasher and the cost: $40,000.
In 2008, Kurzweil and the National Federation of the Blind joined forces to introduce the first mobile version of the reading machine. It ran on a Nokia phone and was priced at a shocking: $3,000.
Just a few years later, the much anticipated KNFB Reader App for iPhone (and iPad) was delivered to the App Store. The Android and Windows apps followed, and they’re all compatible with their respective screen readers.
The KNFB Reader app opens the camera. The right side of the screen offers a “field of view report” to assist alignment of the picture. Tap the left side of the screen to snap the photo. In seconds, the text appears and the reading aloud begins. It’s fast, accurate and relatively easy to use.
The app includes a quick start guide and manual. Read and save multi-page documents. Multiple languages are supported. Set to automatically save files to Dropbox, Microsoft OneDrive, or Google Drive. In recent updates, you can make calls, send emails, and open links directly from documents. You can even contact someone from a business card.
This is relatively easy to use, but like all new things, it may require a bit of acclimating. Practice makes perfect! The incredible benefit is well worth the effort.
You just might start wondering how you functioned without it.
Please note that this article was not paid for, affiliated with, or endorsed by any third-party companies. The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author’s.
Originally published on August 3, 2018 and updated on April 14, 2022.
Audible.com is the preeminent seller of audiobooks, boasting more than 500,000 titles, including audible originals, podcasts, documentaries, comedy, journalism, kids, wellness, self-development, theater and more. They began building this impressive library of spoken content in 1995, somehow anticipating that we would all thoroughly enjoy listening to books.
Reading books in audio formats can beautifully bridge the gap vision loss can cause. Although at first, it may be a minor challenge to retrain yourself to read with your ears instead of your eyes, in no time you will begin loving the experience of being absorbed by the author’s wonderful work. Read an audio book with someone you love, take it with you for a walk, to the gym or on your commute to work.
Cheerful woman with headphones listening to audiobook.
Access Audible with a membership plan, or not. Audiobooks can be purchased individually, as you wish. Membership plans are encouraged and include a 30-day free trial period at the start. Plans change so it’s best to review the Plan Options or consult with an Audible representative for clarity. For $7.95 a month, Audible Plus offers unlimited access to a select catalog of books, podcasts and audio sleep and meditation tracks. For $14.95 a month, Audible Premium Plus adds 1 audiobook credit per month from an expanded catalog of best sellers, a 30% discount on cash purchases and it allows you to return books you don’t like within 365 days. Give the gift of an Audible book, or a gift membership for 3, 6 or 12 months.
Digital content from Audible can be downloaded directly into and played on most Fire tablets, Kindle devices, and Kindle or Audible apps for Android. Don’t forget Alexa in this mix. Your Amazon Echo speaker will read your audiobooks to you as well; just say Alexa, Read My Book. Audiobooks can be purchased directly from the Audible app on an Amazon device. On an Apple device, members are able to download books directly on the app using Audible credits, however, credit card purchases must be transacted on the Audible.com website.
Audible’s customer service support phone representatives are well equipped to help with all questions, issues and transactions. There are 4 options: Press 1 if you are visually impaired and they will get you to an Accessibility Specialist. Press 2 for questions about your Listening Experience. Press 3 for Membership Questions. Press 4 for Technical Support.
It should come as no surprise that the voice-activated smart speaker is a favorite technology product for people with vision loss. Finally, a talking technology that is truly uncomplicated and incredibly intelligent.
If you don’t yet have one, chances are you soon will.According to Smart Speakers Statistics: Report 2021, the largest consumer of smart speakers is the United States. Amazon currently leads the pack however, by 2025, the annual unit sales for smart speakers could reach 300 million with Google projected to grab a 50% share of the market.
Just for starters, the speakers enable voice interaction with the internet, family, friends, home appliances and fixtures, news, shopping and entertainment. Often called voice assistants, they are known to most of us on a first name basis as Alexa, Google, and Siri. From their earliest stages of development, smart technology has been a dream come true for everyone because it truly does makes life a little easier.
The speakers are sold in a range of prices from $30 to $250, depending on the size and the sound quality. Smart hubs may combine a speaker with a display screen and run upwards of $250. The functionality of voice assistant Alexa and Google is consistent in all size speakers regardless of price. Apple recently introduced the HomePod Mini at $99 to replace the original high end HomePod (priced at $349). Unfortunately, Apple’s Siri still ranks way behind Google or Alexa, in terms of job performance.
Amazon Echo Dot. Credit: Time
Amazon announced they will reallocate company resources to maximize the Echo Alexa business. Google and Apple will do their best to elevate their assistants to try and outdo Alexa. We’ll see plenty more competition from the likes of Microsoft, Samsung, LG, and others. That means more choices and even better technology to come.
The thrill of turning on the lights with your voice is here for the asking. The speaker can become the hub for your smart home. Wifi connected outlets make upgrades easy to execute and there are thousands of Alexa, Google, and Siri compatible products on the market already.
Here are just some of the things you can do with your smart speaker:
Play music by artist, song, album or genre
Get the news
Set a timer or an alarm
Listen to popular podcasts or radio
Find a TV program
Get calendar events and reminders
Get weather, traffic, travel and flight information
Turn on the lights
Check the dictionary for spelling and definitions
Control the thermostat
Play games
Calculate simple and complex mathematics
Create a shopping list
Cook with step by step recipes
Answers a multitude of questions
Request a Lyft
Get stock quotes
Find a restaurant or local business
Turn on the lights
Find out what movies are playing locally
The setup process begins with an app downloaded to your smartphone.This is exactly where we became acquainted with our first virtual assistant, Siri. Visually impaired iPhone users were delighted to be among the earliest beneficiaries of this accessible technology, and now it’s nice to see everyone else follow.
Main image credit: Google
This post was originally published on Feb 16, 2018 and updated Sep 23, 2022
You don’t necessarily have to be of a certain age, or have a serious visual impairment, to benefit from the Magnifier built into the iPhone.This is one of the accessibility features that is truly universal. It’s in your phone, which is in your pocket, or in your hand and always ready to help you get a closer look. It’s there for you whether you need to blow-up the fine print, or you want to make large text even larger.
Before the magnifier was added to Apple Accessibility Settings, it was only available in third-party apps, most with a low degree of clarity. The issue was the quality of the cameras in the phones not being sufficient to produce a clear magnified image. With each new generation of hardware, the camera has improved.It’s easy to see now, the iPhone’s magnifier is better than ever and you have the option to stick with the basics or explore the features that accommodate every visual need.
Accessing the Magnifier
To turn on the Magnifier go to Settings > General > Accessibility > Magnifier. Once clicked on in Settings, Magnifier can be launched with a triple click that brings up the Accessibility Shortcuts or just ask Siri to “Open Magnifier.”
Image shows iOS Magnifier screenshot with control settings
Magnifier Controls
Increase the screen size by hiding the feature controls, tap twice and they disappear, twice again and they reappear
Magnification is increased or decreased by moving the slider button or simply moving a finger up or down on the screen
Color filter options are revealed with a tap and expanded when you slide a finger across filters, tap to select a filter, tap to close
Contrast level is adjusted with a tap to expand slider, move slider button to increase or decrease, tap again to close
Brightness level is adjusted with a tap to expand slider, move slider button to increase or decrease, tap again to close
Flashlight for added light, tap to turn on, tap to turn off
Settings allow you to customize Magnifier controls, tap to re-order or hide controls, tap Done to save and close
Freeze Frame with a top on the button, zoom in with pinch
Apple Accessibility Support: 877-204-3930 is available 24/7 for expert assistance
Getting used to this magnifier is, like everything, all about adjusting. It’s worth the effort, because the more you use it, the better you’ll get. It’s incredibly convenient to have a magnifier always available in your phone, and it’s also in iPad and iPod Touch.
Watch the iOS Magnifier tutorials video from Hadley…here.
This post was originally published on Apr 5, 2019 and updated Sep 22, 2021.
When a visual impairment makes reading screen text, on a mobile phone or tablet, an arduous endeavor, it may be time to embrace VoiceOver (VO). The gesture based screen reader, built-in to the Apple iPhone and iPad, will read the words to you.
Turning on the Apple iOS screen reader can be as easy as asking Siri to “Turn on VoiceOver.”It can also be turned on in Accessibility Settings, and an Accessibility Shortcut can be set to turn on, or off, from the home screen.It is wise to first get comfortable turning VoiceOver on and off, as the regular touchscreen gestures are not functional while VO is in use.
Once VoiceOver is engaged, on your iPhone or iPad ,it requires the use of unique gestures to navigate the screen. For example: Touch or tap once to select an item and the voice tells you what it is, then double tap, anywhere on the screen, to activate the selected item.There are 12 VO gestures listed below to practice. It takes some time and concerted effort to switch from seeing to hearing the text, but it is well worth the work.In fact, once mastered, this method evokes joy.
The key to success is repetition, so go ahead and practice, practice, practice. Before long you will have learned to listen and move around the screens with great ease. The VoiceOver gestures will become second nature, committed to muscle memory.
Use your earbuds or AirPods and VoiceOver will speak just to you, privately in your ear.
Stylish mature woman practicing VoiceOver gestures on her iPhone.
Here are the Voice Over Gestures you need to know.
Single Tap — select an item and it speaks
Double Tap — activates selected item (tap anywhere on screen)
One Finger Flick — right or left reads from item to item (left or right)
Two Finger Swipe Down —starts reading at selected item
Two Finger Swipe Up –- starts reading from top of page
Three Finger Flick Right –- scroll forward one page
Three Finger Flick Left –- scroll back one page
Three Finger Flick Down/Up –- scroll up or down one page
Three Finger Flick Down on Home Page — to open search field
One Finger Swipe Down to 1st vibration (or with Home Button swipe up from bottom) — to open Control Center
One Finger Swipe Down from Top to 2nd vibration (or press on Home Button)— for Notifications screen
One Finger Swipe Up from Bottomto Top (or Press Home Button Twice) —for App Switcher
(*Note: There is a “Screen Curtain” option that blackens the screen while using VoiceOver. It is sometimes turned on accidentally when 3 fingers touch the screen 3 times. Tapping with 3 fingers 3 times again will restore the screen.)
Don’t forget, should you need help — call Apple Accessibility Support at 877.204.3939.They are on call 24/7 and Voice Over is one of their specialties.
From time to time, we like to remind our readers that they can not only read the articles on OE, they can also opt to listen.
An OE subscriber, Tobie, recently told us how much she enjoys having our articles read to her and she wondered if other readers were missing out on this feature. She wrote,“I didn’t realize until recently, that the articles on your site can be read to you. Because of my vision loss, I did not see the symbol for turning on the ‘reader’ for quite a while. It is very convenient and well worth knowing about. I suspect many of your readers may not be aware of this feature.”
Tobie’s thoughtful feedback prompts us to share a brief refresher on OE Patients built in accessibility features. Our website was designed to go easy on the eyes, with uncluttered pages and clean fonts. And we elevated easy to the next level, with the addition of text to speech, which reads the page, to you, aloud.
Let’s review OE Patients accessibility options…
Listen on a Desktop Computer
At the top of the page, on the rightside of the main menu, between Support Us and the Search Icon, is a large button labeled “Listen.”Click this button andwithin a few seconds a voice will begin reading the contents of the page. All you have to do is listen.
Listen on a Mobile Device
On mobile screens the Listen button is in Accessibility Settings. Click on the last menu button labeled AA, the Listen button is at the bottom of this drop down menu. Click it and Listen as the page is read.
OE Patients accessibility features.
Click the AA Accessibility icon, at the upper right corner, for the drop down menu selection that includes:
Reverse Contrast
Change standard black text on white to yellow text on black, or white text on black.
Text Size
Select from 5 sizes
Text Only
Turn On/Off
Listen
Reads the page to you
This post was first published on Oct 23, 2019 and refreshed on Jul 9, 2021.
