Apple Accessibility for the Visually Impaired:
Last Updated May 15th, 2025 for iOS 18.
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.
Helpful Apps. Magnifier Apps, Talking Camera Apps, Large Print Keyboard Apps, Adaptive Calculator Apps, and Mobility Apps.
Siri Voice Assistant.
VoiceOver Screen Reader.
Resources for Apple Accessibility for the Visually Impaired:
My Apple Accessibility Resources: docs.google.com/document/d/1A8Qw-ZOEdpWYyT3EquJ9wfn8nyUt-e5Ed9uRwkOL6GM/edit?usp=sharing.
Hadley: hadleyhelps.org/learn?topic_id=14.
iBUG Today: ibugtoday.org.
Apple Vision Accessibility User Guide: support.apple.com/guide/iphone/overview-of-accessibility-features-for-vision-iph732dc028d/ios.
Apple Accessibility Support Phone Number: support.apple.com/en-us/111749.
The Blind Life YouTube channel: youtube.com/@theblindlife.
AI for the Blind Facebook Group.
Technology For Blind And Visually Impaired Facebook Group.
Assistive Technology Community for the Blind and Visually Impaired Facebook Group.
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.
Hadley iPhone / iPad Low Vision Features Series: hadleyhelps.org/workshops/iphone-ipad-low-vision-features-series.
Phone Calls Accessibility: docs.google.com/document/d/1-93uEfMj3nQzFLMGTkoHxwSNEANIRAJ3QybwfAqvwaI/edit?usp=sharing.
Phone and Tablet Keyboard Accessibility: docs.google.com/document/d/1-rGIm-vuwAKYS_cDrAYSc9FN6f4L9Ng8NGzsvNJKL54/edit?usp=sharing.
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.
Apple Zoom Feature User Guide: support.apple.com/guide/iphone/zoom-in-iph3e2e367e/ios.
Zoom Feature Instructions: docs.google.com/document/d/1dA7CZp-8ttHzd-eg-pOTzaXF7dsmTSvLYTOVgoOtCLg/edit?usp=sharing
Helpful Apps:
Magnifier Apps, Talking Camera Apps, Large Print Keyboard Apps, Adaptive Calculator Apps, and Mobility Apps.
Magnifier Apps are apps that use the device’s camera to allow the user to use their device as a low to medium power magnifier.
Talking Camera Apps are apps that use the device’s camera to read print aloud and provide audio descriptions of the user’s surroundings.
Adaptive Keyboard Apps are apps that are used to create a customized large print onscreen keyboard to be used instead of the default keyboard.
Adaptive Calculator Apps are calculator apps with large print and/or audio features.
Orientation & Mobility Apps are apps that are used to determine the users location and use audio instructions to get from one place to another.
Helpful Apps Information: docs.google.com/document/d/1dUx_1TSTSO_pQHnnOhyWw8MLvXYPbNasF0IJskKMPyY/edit?usp=sharing.
Accessibility Apps List from Apple: apps.apple.com/us/story/id1266441335.
Siri Voice Assistant:
Siri is a voice assistant that uses voice commands to use an Apple phone or tablet.
Hadley Siri Series: hadleyhelps.org/workshops/siri-series.
Apple Siri User Guide: support.apple.com/guide/iphone/use-siri-iph83aad8922/18.0/ios/18.0.
Siri Apple Page: apple.com/siri.
Siri Instructions: docs.google.com/document/d/1cyK_3oBVcBBVcyS16NYxIJ9ZwMqvxfZ9-sN6VkJwUGg/edit?usp=sharing.
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.