
Accessibility apps can be a game-changer for people with disabilities, helping them achieve daily independence. For instance, TapTapSee, an app that uses AI to describe visual information, can assist visually impaired individuals in identifying objects and people.
Many accessibility apps focus on navigation and transportation, such as Wheelmap, a crowdsourced map of wheelchair-accessible locations. This app can help users plan their routes and avoid inaccessible areas.
Some apps also provide assistance with daily tasks, like Be My Eyes, which connects visually impaired individuals with sighted volunteers for tasks like reading labels or identifying objects. This app can be a huge help in situations where assistance is needed.
By utilizing these apps, individuals with disabilities can regain a sense of independence and confidence in their daily lives.
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Accessibility Tools
Accessibility apps can greatly enhance your daily life, and many devices come with accessibility features right out of the box. Your mobile device, whether it's an Apple or Android device, has a variety of accessibility features, including text size adjustments, screen readers, high contrast modes, magnifiers, and more.
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You can find more information about these features on My Computer My Way, a website hosted by AbilityNet that provides device-specific guidance. The website categorizes features into four main areas: Cognitive, Hearing, Motor, and Vision.
Here are some specific accessibility features you can find on popular devices:
- Apple: Apple Accessibility
- Samsung: Samsung Accessibility
- Google: Google Accessibility
If you're looking for a specific app to help with limited vision, consider Envision AI, which can recognize faces, scan and read text, and even recognize handwritten text in up to 60 languages.
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9. Big Keys
Big Keys is a simple yet effective accessibility tool that allows customization of the size of the keys on a mobile phone's keyboard and emojis. It's a game-changer for those with limited dexterity or vision.
One of the primary functions of Big Keys is to provide a numeric keypad, which can be a huge help for people who struggle with typing numbers. This feature alone can make a big difference in daily life.
Big Keys also includes keyboard customization themes, giving users the flexibility to choose a layout that suits their needs. This is a great option for those who prefer a more streamlined typing experience.
Another feature of Big Keys is color contrast for easier visibility, which can be a lifesaver for people with visual impairments. This feature can help reduce eye strain and make typing more comfortable.
Default Tools
Your device is packed with accessibility features, and it's amazing how often people overlook them. Both Apple and Android mobile devices contain a variety of accessibility features by default, including text size adjustments and screen readers.
These built-in tools can be a game-changer for people with disabilities. For example, Apple devices have a range of accessibility features, from high contrast modes to magnifiers.
You can find more information about accessibility features of your device on AbilityNet's My Computer My Way website. This resource provides device-specific guidance, broadly split into four categories: Cognitive, Hearing, Motor, and Vision.
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Apple, Samsung, and Google all have their own accessibility features and resources, which you can explore on their respective websites.
Here are some examples of default accessibility features on popular devices:
These features can be a great starting point for people with disabilities, and they're often free or included with your device.
Finding Your Needs
You'll want to start by identifying what you need help with, whether it's reading, writing, or navigating the web. This will help you choose the right accessibility tools.
For people with visual impairments, screen readers can be a game-changer. They can read aloud the text on a computer screen, allowing users to "hear" what's on the screen.
The type of device you use can also make a big difference. For example, a smartphone can be a great tool for people with mobility impairments, as it's easy to use on-the-go.
Some tools, like text-to-speech software, can be customized to meet individual needs. For instance, you can adjust the reading speed or voice type to suit your preferences.
Assistive technology can be used in various settings, including at home, in the workplace, or in educational institutions.
Communication and Interaction
Communication and interaction can be a challenge for many people, but there are some amazing apps that can help. Some apps can speak prepared phrases and text, while others can help you communicate in writing. These apps can be a game-changer for people who struggle with verbal communication.
Proloquo2Go and ClaroCom Pro UK are two popular apps that can help with communication. They offer a range of features, including text-to-speech and speech-to-text functionality. These apps can be a great tool for people who need to communicate with others, but may struggle to find the right words.
If you're looking for a more advanced AAC tool, you might want to check out the JABtalk speech communication app. This app is designed to be easy and effective, and can be used by both children and adults who are non-verbal. It's available on Android, making it a great option for those who prefer a mobile app.
For those who are Deaf or hard of hearing, there are also some amazing apps that can help with phone calls. RogerVoice is a free app that provides captioned cellphone calls, making it easier for people to communicate with others. This app uses voice recognition technology to provide a real-time transcript of what the other person is saying.
Google Live Transcribe is another app that can help with communication. This speech-to-text app can help you engage with spoken words and surrounding sounds in real time. It's a great tool for anyone who wants to stay connected with others, but may struggle to hear or understand what's being said.
Here are some popular apps that can help with communication and interaction:
- Proloquo2Go
- ClaroCom Pro UK
- JABtalk speech communication app
- Grid iPad app for symbol and text communication
- The Open Voice Factory
- Speak for Yourself
- RogerVoice
- Google Live Transcribe
Sensory Support and Comfort
Sensory support apps can be a game-changer for those who experience sensory overload. Miracle Modus, designed by an autistic creator, uses hypnotic mathematically-patterned rainbow lights and soft bells to calm the user.
These apps often have different settings to suit individual needs, making them a great option for those who struggle with sensory overload. Sensory App House offers a range of apps to help with sensory needs.
If you're looking for a specific feature, consider the following options:
- Miracle Modus has different settings to suit your needs.
- Sensory App House offers a range of apps to help with sensory needs.
Sensory Support
Sensory support apps can be a game-changer for those who experience sensory overload. These apps can help calm or relax users with features like hypnotic lights and soft sounds.
Miracle Modus is one such app that uses mathematically-patterned rainbow lights and soft bells to create a soothing experience. The creator, who is autistic, designed the app to help with sensory overload, and it has different settings to suit individual needs.
Sensory App House offers a range of apps specifically designed to meet sensory needs, providing users with various options to find what works best for them.
If you're looking for an app that can help with sensory overload, Miracle Modus and Sensory App House are definitely worth checking out.
Some hearing aid apps can help customize volume, filter noise, and focus on speech, making it easier to communicate in noisy environments. These apps can also connect your phone's audio to your hearing aids, making it easier to hear and understand what's being said.
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Hearing
For those who struggle with hearing, there are many apps that can help. Some of these apps, like Google Sound Amplifier, can reduce background noise or boost the sounds you want to hear.
If you have a hearing aid, you can also customize volume, filter noise, and focus on speech with apps offered by most hearing aid manufacturers. Compatibility depends on the make and style of your hearing aid and your phone model.
There are many apps available to help with hearing, including Decibel X, a dB sound level meter, and the ReSound Smart 3D app, which offers customizable hearing aid settings.
Some popular hearing-related apps include:
- Decibel X: dB Sound Level Meter
- ReSound Smart 3D
- Proloquo2Go AAC: Tap symbols. Type words. Speak
- Proloquo4Text AAC: Text-to-speech communication
- The ASL App: Learn ASL Anywhere!
Motion & Animation
If you're sensitive to motion or have a condition that affects your sensory experience, you can adjust the animations on this site to make it more comfortable for you.
There are three options to choose from: Default, None, and Unset.
The Default option will follow your device's settings if you've set a preference, and if not, you'll still see some subtle animations on this site. If you've opted for reduce motion, you'll notice that smooth scrolling and expanding/collapsing animations will be gone, but fading transitions and micro animations will still be present.
If you choose None, all animations and transitions will be completely removed, including fade transitions.
Here are the options in a quick summary:
Assistive Technology for Daily Life
Assistive touch is an app that provides virtual buttons for mobile phone users, allowing them to navigate their device without touching it. This is an excellent choice for those with arthritis or muscular disabilities.
Envision AI is a must-have app for anyone with limited vision, as it can recognize faces, scan and read text from any surface, and even handwritten text, supporting up to 60 languages.
Seeing AI is a free app that narrates the world around you, describing nearby people, text, and objects, and is designed with and for the blind and low vision community.
Assistive Touch
Assistive Touch allows mobile phone users to navigate their device without touching it. This is particularly helpful for those with arthritis or muscular disabilities.
Assistive Touch is available on both Android and Apple devices. On Android, it can be downloaded from the Google Play store, while on Apple devices, it's available through the Apple App store.
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The app provides virtual buttons that can be used to perform various functions, such as taking screenshots or adjusting the volume. These virtual buttons can be accessed through a floating panel on the screen.
Assistive Touch is also useful for big screen smartphones, as it allows users to quickly access their favorite apps, games, and settings.
Smart Home Tech for Disabled People
Smart home technology can make daily life easier for disabled people, allowing them to control their heating and home security from a single device.
Controlling your home's temperature and security system remotely can be a huge advantage, especially for those with mobility or dexterity impairments.
The Ableway app, for example, offers a range of features that can be accessed from a smartphone or tablet.
This app can be a game-changer for people with disabilities, providing them with more independence and control over their daily lives.
Navigation and Travel
Google Maps is a great tool for finding wheelchair accessible entrances and disability-friendly transit options. It also offers turn-by-turn navigation that works while walking or in a wheelchair.
The Blue Badge Parking app helps you find parking spaces, available on both Apple and Android devices. The Changing Places toilet app finds accessible public toilets across the UK.
If you need to find your way around a new city, try using the Sociability app or the Citymapper app. These apps help you find accessible places and transport options.
For public transport, use the Passenger Assistance app for National Rail or the Moovit app for public transport across the UK. These apps provide live updates and help you plan your journey.
If you need to order a taxi, try using the Uber app or the Gett black taxi app. Most black cabs are wheelchair accessible, and you can add a note to your booking telling your driver you might need assistance.
Here are some apps that can help with navigation and travel:
- Waze accessible sat nav for drivers
- Moovit for public transport across the UK
- Citymapper for transport in cities, mostly in the UK, Europe and USA
- Google Maps
Reading and Literacy
Reading and literacy apps can be a game-changer for people with reading challenges. Claro Read is a great option that can help with reading text, editing PDFs, and magnifying text.
Some apps can even read out text for you, which can be especially helpful for those with dyslexia. NaturalReader is a popular choice that offers text-to-speech for multiple formats.
If you're looking for apps that can help with reading, writing, and scanning documents, Voice Dream apps are worth checking out. They're available on Apple devices and can make a big difference in your daily routine.
For kids, apps like Speechify – Text to Speech can help with reading aloud books, docs, and PDFs. And if you're looking for a more comprehensive learning experience, apps like ANTON: The School Learning App can help with learning English, Maths, and Science.
Here are some specific apps that can help with reading and literacy:
- Claro Read: reading text, editing PDFs, and magnifying text
- NaturalReader: text-to-speech for multiple formats
- Voice Dream apps: reading, writing, and scanning documents
- Speechify – Text to Speech: reading aloud books, docs, and PDFs
- ANTON: The School Learning App: learning English, Maths, and Science
Easier Phone Use
Voice Access for Android lets you use voice commands to do basic actions and navigation from any screen. You can use voice commands like 'go back' or 'go home' to navigate your phone.
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SwiftKey and Gboard, the Google keyboard, allow you to swipe across the keys to type. They use word prediction to help you correct mistakes, making it easier to type on your phone.
Phone accessibility features can be customized to suit your needs. For example, Gboard has a ‘one-handed’ mode that shifts the keys to make them easier to reach.
Easier Phone Use
If you're finding your phone or tablet hard to use, there are apps that can make a big difference. Voice Access for Android lets you use voice commands to do basic actions and navigation from any screen.
You can use voice commands to 'go back' or 'go home' from any screen with Voice Access. This can be a huge help if you're struggling to navigate your phone.
SwiftKey and Gboard, the Google keyboard, allow you to type by swiping across the keys. They use word prediction to help correct mistakes and are available on both Apple and Android devices.
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These apps are perfect if you need help using a standard keyboard or to type one-handed. Gboard also has a ‘one-handed’ mode that shifts the keys to make them easier to reach.
Phone accessibility features are getting better all the time. DOTKey helps you type quickly and comfortably with one hand using taps, swipes and other hand gestures instead of a keyboard.
You can also use accessibility settings on your phone to make it more usable. Mobile phone accessibility settings can make Android or iPhone more accessible for you as a disabled person.
Here are some apps that can help with phone accessibility:
- SwiftKey and Gboard (Google keyboard) for swiping to type
- DOTKey for one-handed typing
- Voice Access for Android for voice commands
For Apple
For Apple, AssistiveTouch is a game-changer. A button will appear on the screen, allowing you to adjust volume, lock your screen, or even restart your device with just a tap.
You can also use AssistiveTouch to replace pressing buttons with a simple tap. This feature is perfect for those who have trouble pressing buttons due to physical limitations or disabilities.
With AssistiveTouch, you can access various functions with ease, making your phone use experience more convenient and enjoyable.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I turn off accessibility app on Android?
To disable the accessibility app on Android, go to Settings > Accessibility and toggle the switch to the OFF position. This will typically be found under "TalkBack" or "Screen readers", depending on your device.
What is an example of accessibility in an app?
Using voice commands instead of touch gestures is an example of accessibility in an app, making it easier to use in various situations, such as while cooking or in bright sunshine
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