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Mennonite Historical Library
Accessibility

Accessibility: iPads

Locate Accessibility Features

Follow these steps to locate the accessibility features on the iPad:

  1. Tap the Settings App icon.
  2. Select General from the menu on the left hand side of the screen.
  3. On the menu on the right hand side of the screen, scroll down the list until you see the Accessibility item.  Tap on Accessibility with your finger to view all the accessibility features on the iPad.

iPad Accessibility Information

Accessibility Options

Vision:

VoiceOver:  The iPad has a screen reader built into it that will describe buttons and menu options displayed on the screen.  The screen reader can work through the iPad's loud speakers or with a set of headphones.  You can change the reading speed and what items are read by VoiceOver.  When you have VoiceOver turned on, tap on a button once to hear the name read out loud and tap on the button twice to open the program. Apple's iPad Accessibility Information - Voiceover

Zoom:   Allows you to magnify the screen in any application. Apple's iPad Accessibility Information - Zoom

Large Text:   Allows font size to be increased up to 56 points. Apple's iPad Accessibility Information - Large Text

Invert Color: Allows you to adjust the iPad screen to black on white. Apple's iPad Accessibility Information - Invert Color

Speak Selection:  Allows you to highlight text and have it read aloud even when VoiceOver is not enabled. Apple's iPad Accessibility Information - Speak Selection

Speak Screen: similar to speak selection, you can swipe down from the top of the screen and have all of the content of the page read back to you.

Speak Auto-text: Speaks auto-correction as you type. Apple's iPad Accessibility Information - Speak Auto-Text

Mono Audio: Enables you to adjust the volume between the left and right channels Apple's iPad Accessibility Information - Mono Audio

Assistive Touch:  Allows you to create gestures or to use assistive devices to navigate the iPad’s touch screen. Apple's iPad Accessibility Information - Assistive Touch

Color Filters: Allows you to customize color filters to complement different forms of color blindness or other vision challenges

Dark Mode: light text on darker backdrops makes everything easier to read in low lighting conditions.

Magnifier: Uses the camera to increase the size of anything you point it at.

 

Hearing:

Mono Audio: Enables you to adjust the volume between the left and right channels Apple's iPad Accessibility Information - Mono Audio

Made for iPhone Hearing Aids: provide outstanding quality and easy to set up.

Live Listen: use your Made for iPhone hearing aids, turn on this feature, and the microphone will be used to pick up what a speaker is saying more quickly--really helpful in loud places!

 

Mobility:

Voice Control: control your iPad using only your voice.

Switch Control: Allows you to navigate sequentially through onscreen items--sold separately

Assistive Touch:  Allows you to create gestures or to use assistive devices to navigate the iPad’s touch screen. Apple's iPad Accessibility Information - Assitive Touch

 

 

 

VoiceOver

Here are some other things you can do with VoiceOver:

  • it can describe images to you
  • type and edit with speed and accuracy: each character is read aloud as you touch it, adn again when you enter it.
  • has a virtual control (rotor) to move through the web page
  • direct Braille entry without a Braille display
  • use a Braille display for input and output

Braille Commands for VoiceOver

Look here to find Braille commands that work with VoiceOver

FaceTime

FaceTime is video calling on the iPad.  It is perfect for communicating by sign language or lip reading. Click here for instructions for setting up FaceTime.

iPad Accessibility Podcasts

Click here to listen to audio podcasts which demonstrate how to use various assistive technology features on the iPad.  Some examples of podcasts you will find on this page: