Accessibility in Apple’s iOS7:
An Introduction
For NJLA 2014, Wed, June 4th
Ocean E: 2:30-3:20
Mary Kearns-Kaplan, MLS MSW
Adult Outreach Services Coordinator
NJ State Library Talking Book & Braille Center
Email: mkaplan@njstatelib.org
Phone: 800-792-8322 x834
For Librarians:
http://www.njstatelib.org/talking_books_andbraille/for_librarians
Disclaimers
• This is an overview only.
• Selected accessibility features and apps are
presented here.
• The experts are those who use these
accessibility options; not me!
What do the Statistics Tell us?
• Prevalence of Disability in NJ in 2012 was 10.3%,
approx 887,000 residents (was 9.7% in 2010).
• Vision Loss in U.S. is on the Rise.
Between 2000 & 2010, 27% increase in cases of
vision impairment in U.S.
By 2030, a 71% increase is projected.
By 2050, a 210% increase is expected.
Sources: (See bibliography: 3, 4, 7)
Causes & Impacts
• Statistics suggest print impairments could increase.
• Loss of vision, development and occurrence of
arthritis, brain injury, Cerebral Palsy, Dyslexia,
Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s, stroke, etc. can lead to
a print-impairment.
• Psychosocial impacts of print-impairment:
 Depression.
 Loss of Daily Living Activities.
 Social isolation.
Sources: (See bibliography: 1,2,5,6)
Apple Accessibility
iOS and OSX offer accessibility features
for those with these impairments:
• Hearing
• Learning
• Physical
• Vision
iOS7 Accessibility Settings
Where are they in iOS7?
Settings General Accessibility
Siri: Voice command on iPhones 4S &
higher.
A Word to the Wise
• Turning on accessibility features in iOS drains
the battery.
TBBC‘s World of Assistive iOS7
Features
Physical
Impairments
Reading
Disabilities
Vision
Challenges
iOS7 iPhone5 Accessibility Features:
Physical Challenges
iOS7 iPhone5 Accessibility Features:
Physical Impairments
• Assistive Touch: Provides on-screen shortcuts
that can be easier than using hand gestures
to move around. For example, it can be
difficult to pinch, so there is a shortcut.
• Dictation: microphone on keyboard.
• Siri: voice command.
• Switch Control: allows you to use Bluetooth
switch hardware to operate your device.
iOS7 iPhone5 Accessibility Features:
Reading Disabilities
iOS7 iPhone5 Accessibility Features:
Reading Disabilities
• Guided Access: Can lock out use of more than one
app, task, etc. at one time.
• Several designed for vision impairments, but helpful
also to those with reading impairments:
 Dictation: Tap the microphone on keyboard.
 Siri: voice command.
 Speak Auto-text: will speak auto-corrections.
 Speak Selection: select text and it will be spoken.
 VoiceOver
iOS7 iPhone5 Accessibility Features:
Vision Problems
iOS7 iPhone5 Accessibility Features:
Vision Problems
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Bold Text (to increase contrast)
Dictation: Tap the microphone on the keyboard.
Increase contrast.
Invert colors: for those with color blindness; can also reduce glare.
Large cursor (will find it under the VoiceOver options)
Larger Text = “Dynamic Type.” Apps that support it will adjust to
your preferred reading size.
Siri: voice command.
Speak Selection: select text and it will be spoken.
Speak Auto-text: Will speak auto-corrections.
VoiceOver: Screen reader (text to speech).
Zoom (magnification).
iOS7 Accessibility Features:
Several Videos
• “Guided Access in iOS7”
• “App Camp: iOS 7 Accessibility” from the
Tyler Lighthouse in Texas.
• Hadley School for the Blind: Instructional
iOS7 Accessibility videos
• NLS BARD Mobile Videos
• From AbleNet, “Angry Birds with iOS 7 Switch
Control”
A Few Good Apps
“What is here today may not be here tomorrow”
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ColorID = FREE: Camera App identifies colors.
Dragon Dictation: FREE: Speech to Text
LookTel Money Reader = $9.99: Reads currency.
MyScript Calculator – FREE: Use on-screen hand
gestures.
• Sendero GPS LookAround - FREE
• Speak it! $1.99: text to speech.
• Tap Tap See – FREE camera app: scans objects &
reads description.
Just a Few Resources
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AbleNet University: Free webinars on assistive
educational tools.
AccessWorld (from the American Foundation for
the Blind)
Apple Accessibility Web Site
Apple Accessibility Tips and Tricks.
AppleVis: iOS user group for those with vision
impairments; reviews apps. Review their editorial
team app picks of the month
Easter Seals: Assistive Technology Updates
Hadley School for the Blind: YouTube Instructional
Videos on the vision accessibility features in iOS7.
Some Inspiration
From TBBC’s kudos page:
“I am writing you today to Thank you for the wonderful
service that your agency provides for so many folks who
would not have the ability to enjoy a GOOD READ, without
your devices and selection. To mention one of your patients
without stating names, for HIPPA purposes, I have a young
middle aged man who recently suffered stroke and is now
partially paralyzed and Aphasic, suffers from dyspraxia, and
apraxia. The gentlemen is a well-read person who is able to
reach out to that wonderful world of literature through your
service. The gentleman nods his head in appreciation and
gratefulness, each time I bring him a NEW selection for him
to enjoy. It is my pleasure, but the THANKS goes to your
service.”
Bibliography
1. Aarsland D, et al. (2011). Depression in Parkinson
disease--epidemiology, mechanisms and
management. Nature Reviews Neurology; 8(1):35-47.
2. Casten RJ, et al. (2013). Update on depression and
age-related macular degeneration. Current Opinion in
Ophthalmology; 24(3):239-43.
3. Census Bureau, U.S. (2014). State and County Quick
Facts: New Jersey.. Available at
http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/34000.html .
Accessed 5/20/14.
Bibliography (cont’d)
4. Erickson, W., Lee, C., & von Schrader, S. (2012).
2011 Disability Status Report: New Jersey. Ithaca, NY:
Cornell University Employment and Disability
Institute(EDI). http://www.disabilitystatistics.org
5. Feinstein A. (2011). Multiple sclerosis and
depression. Multiple Sclerosis; 17(11):1276-81.
6. Hochberg C. et al (2012). Association of vision loss
in glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration
with IADL disability. Investigative Ophthalmology &
Visual Science; 53(6): 3201-3206.
Bibliography (cont’d)
7. National Eye Institute. (2013). Statistics and Data.
Bethesda: U.S. Institutes of Health, U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services. Available at
http://www.nei.nih.gov/eyedata . Accessed on
10/8/13.
TBBC Web Page for Librarians
http://www.njstatelib.org/talking_books
_and-braille/for_librarians