Disability-Friendly Smartphone Technology
Jumpstart Your Career with Disability-Friendly Smartphone Tech
By: Lydia Chan
Image courtesy of Pixabay
The absence of accessibility in smartphone technology hinders the full participation of people with disabilities in society. It is essential for smartphones and other technologies to enhance their access to people with mental, physical or sensory impairments. The following are examples from Real Abilities of how smartphone technologies are improving inclusivity for people with disabilities both in the workplace.
Apple's Voice Over
Voice Over is a screen reader that helps blind people or people with vision impairment to use their phones. Instead of seeing, users can hear their notifications from people calling them, texting or a low battery notification. This application works with all built-in iPhone apps and can be integrated with third-party applications.
Voice Over works with simple gestures to help you navigate your phone. You can triple-click your home button or the side button on the iPhone XS Max to access Voice Over. Once accessed, you can drag your fingers across the screen and Voice Over tells you what to do. You can flick left and right to move between different elements.
If you are hoping to take advantage of this fantastic feature, you can upgrade your phone to the iPhone XS Max. Packed with the latest processing and screen technology, the iPhone XS Max will ensure that you access Voice Over and enjoy a widescreen for your braille needs.
Apple's Voice Control
Using voice commands with Apple products is also possible through Voice control. This feature is especially ideal for consumers with physical motor skills and vision impairments. Voice control works just like swiping operations. It can operate all apps and access information without touching the keyboard. To showcase its powers, Apple collaborated with Ian Mackay, a disability advocate who runs on a wheelchair. With Apple's Voice Control, accessibility for people with disabilities is possible.
Google TalkBack
Just like Apple, Google also has a feature for Android users to help them use voice controls. TalkBack is an accessibility service designed to help blind and users with vision disabilities to interact with android devices. It is available on an android phone when a device has the Google suite applications installed.
TalkBack tells you everything that appears on your screen, and guides you on using your screen without making changes. With this application, users can also set the pitch and enable features such as shaking the phone to start. To enjoy a seamless experience with TalkBack, you can upgrade your phone to some of the latest models. The Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus, for example, is a great place to start.
Wireless Chargers
Wireless chargers allow those with mobility disabilities to ensure their devices get all the juice they need without having to juggle tiny cables and charging ports. Instead, drop your phone, headphones, or other tech on a wireless charging pad with no frustration.
Codecheck
Codecheck is an application that uses the power of barcodes to allow blind or people with vision impairments to interact with products. You are probably wondering how a blind person can locate a barcode. This application features a "ScanGuide," which guides the user through the barcode scanning process.
With these types of applications, people with vision disabilities can check products for their expiry dates, ingredients, brands, environmental impacts and reviews. This type of information is especially useful for people with dietary restrictions or dermatological needs.
Color Detection Apps
Color blindness is often overlooked by people who can see color, but imagine trying to choose colors when you cannot see them. Luckily, developers have created several color detection applications to help color blind people. Color naming apps can help you identify the colors of objects in front of you and things that you interact with in everyday life.
Some applications adjust specific colors to help color blind people see them while others help create color harmony. Harmony is important, especially for people attempting to come up with a dress code or prepare a colorful presentation.
There is a bevy of applications both for Android and iOS devices to help people with motor and sensory disabilities. With these applications, people with disabilities can join the workforce, improve their skills and contribute to society.