Apple Accessibility for the Visually Impaired:

Last Updated July 3rd, 2025 for iOS 18.

Apple Accessibility Audio Recordings:

Overview of Apple Accessibility for the Visually Impaired:

  • Accessibility Features that allows individuals to be able to see their phone easier, rely on sound and vibration feedback, use their phone with their voice, and use their phone without needing to use vision. 

  • Zoom Feature.

  • Speak Screen Feature.

  • Siri Voice Assistant. 

  • VoiceOver Screen Reader.

  • Helpful Apps.

Accessibility Features:

Accessibility Features that allows individuals to be able to see their phone easier, rely on sound and vibration feedback, use their phone with their voice, and use their phone without needing to use vision.

To turn on accessibility features, go to the Settings app and then go to the Accessibility section. In the Settings app, there are other sections to adjust other features such as Display & Brightness, Siri, Wallpaper, and Sounds & Haptics.

Full Screen Incoming Call Feature:

Go to the Settings app, then apps, then Phone, then Incoming Calls, and select Full Screen.

Flashing Light Notifications Feature:

Go to the Settings app, then to Accessibility, then to Audio & Visual, and then go to LED Flash for Alerts.

Device Turned Off Sound Feature:

Go to the Settings app, then to Sound & Haptics, then turn on Lock Sound.

Speak Screen Feature:

Swipe down with two fingers from the top of the screen to hear the content of the screen. 

  • This feature can be found in the Settings App, in the Accessibility section, in the Spoken Content section.

  • It will automatically read starting from the top of the screen. 

  • An on-screen controller will appear. This can be used to stop the feature, pause, go back, go forward, adjust speaking rate, and use touch mode. It will change to a right arrow symbol button when not in use. I recommend adjusting the idle opacity to 100% to make it easier to see when not in use.

  • It is recommended that users who find it difficult to see the controller use VoiceOver screen reader instead as it requires no vision to use.

  • Touch mode can be turned on by pressing the hand symbol on the left side of the on-screen controller. It can also be set to long press the controller button in order to activate. The user can then tap anywhere on the screen to hear it read aloud.

Phone and Tablet Keyboard Accessibility:

  • Use Large Print and Audio Feedback Features.

  • Use a Touch Screen Stylus.

  • Use a Large Print Keyboard App.

  • Use the Dictate Feature.

  • Use a Voice Assistant. Use Siri for Apple devices and Google Assistant, Gemini, or Bixby for Android devices.

  • Use a Screen Reader. Use VoiceOver for Apple devices and TalkBack for Android devices.

  • Use a Bluetooth Keyboard.

Dictate Feature:

Use the dictate feature to speak instead of type. To use this feature, locate the dictate button which is typically shown as a microphone icon on the keyboard. Press the dictate button once to begin recording and then press it again once finished.

Assistive Access:

Assistive Access is a feature where the user only has access to a list of specific apps with large icons and simplified features. Ideal for those who struggle with technology and those that only need their iPhone for a few apps. 

An Assistive Access password is set. Pressing the power button three times quickly turns Assistive Access on or off. Siri and VoiceOver can be used with Assistive Access. Increasing text size and turning VoiceOver on needs to be done before starting Assistive Access.

Recommended apps to be included are phone, contacts, magnifier, HelpUSee, and SeeingAI.

Assistive Access User Guide: support.apple.com/guide/assistive-access-iphone/about-assistive-access-iphb86e84e2baa/ios.

Zoom Feature:

The Zoom Feature on Apple devices allows the user to magnify the whole screen. The magnification level can be adjusted from 1.2x to 15x. To begin using the Zoom Feature, enable it by going to the zoom section of the accessibility section in the settings app. I recommend enabling follow focus and smart typing. I also recommend selecting full screen zoom in the zoom region section. At the bottom of the zoom feature settings is the maximum zoom level slider.

  • To turn the Zoom Feature on or off, double tap anywhere on the screen with three fingers.

  • Drag three fingers to move around on the screen.

  • To adjust the magnification level, double tap with three fingers then drag up with three fingers to increase magnification or drag down with three fingers to decrease magnification.

Siri Voice Assistant:

Siri is a voice assistant that uses voice commands to use an Apple phone or tablet.

VoiceOver Screen Reader:

VoiceOver is an Apple screen reader that speaks out what’s on the screen and is used to navigate the screen using gestures. Uses for VoiceOver include unlocking an iPhone or an iPad, navigating the iPhone or iPad, and listening to the text on screen. You can keep VoiceOver on all the time or only turn it on when it is needed.

VoiceOver Website Page: vrtinfo.com/voiceover.