Apple’s iPhone is a great example of a COTS (Common off the shelf) product which has well-designed, native accessibility features.\u00a0 As part of their design philosophy, Apple states that Universal Design means a device should be usable by everyone.\u00a0 Here’s how almost everybody with special needs can use Apple’s iDevices.<\/p>\n
All of the iOS accessibility features are grouped together in the “Settings” app.\u00a0 After opening “Settings”, tap “General” and then
\n“Accessibility.”\u00a0 Related accessibility features are grouped together.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n VoiceOver<\/strong><\/p>\n For the blind and visually impaired, the “Seeing” section of Accessibility features VoiceOver and Zoom.\u00a0 Voiceover changes the way in which the touch screen works and provides spoken output.\u00a0 In the newest release of iOs, the operating system for the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad, triple-clicking the “Home” button activates VoiceOver on every device.\u00a0 Some descriptive information is provided on the VoiceOver page, and there is even a practice area where the VoiceOver gestures can be practiced.<\/p>\n Nearly all built-in iOS features are VoiceOver accessible and a large percentage of third-party apps work just fine with VoiceOver.\u00a0 By conforming to certain programming guidelines available from the Apple website, nearly all iOS apps can be made VoiceOver compatible.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Zoom<\/strong><\/p>\n Zoom is a screen-enlargement feature also located under the “Seeing” category of the accessibility section.\u00a0 As the name implies, Zoom can zoom in on specific sections of the screen for easier viewing.\u00a0 Zoom has reportedly improved in iOS 5 and now <\/p>\n Hearing<\/strong><\/p>\n The Hearing section has many tools which may be helpful to those who are deaf or hard of hearing.\u00a0 These include:\u00a0customizable The “Motor” section is new to iOS 5. Assistive Touch is a feature which allows access to all of the standard screen gestures An important feature of the iPhone 4S is Siri.\u00a0 Siri makes an iPhone more usable by everyone, including those with disabilities.\u00a0 Siri can understand complex commands and can perform many common tasks through spoken direction.\u00a0 Voice dictation can To learn more about the accessibility features of all Apple products, including the iPhone, visit: http:\/\/www.apple.com\/Accessibility<\/a><\/p>\n
\nworks well throughout the iOS environment.<\/p>\n
\nvibration patterns, an LED flash for ringer alerts and a mono audio option.\u00a0 Also, as featured in a 2010 Apple commercial, the FaceTime app allows for two-way video communication including sign language.\u00a0 While not iPhone specific, many cellphone providers offer a data and texting only plan which may be specially requested.<\/p>\n
\nthrough a drop-down menu.\u00a0 Note that Assistive Touch is not compatible with VoiceOver as of yet.\u00a0 As stated above, this is a new feature of iOs and further developments are expected.<\/p>\n
\nspeed text entry by speaking rather than typing.\u00a0 Just tap the “microphone” button located beside the space bar to insert text using your voice.<\/p>\n