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Best Resources for Mac & Apple Device Users with Disabilities
by Bakari Chavanu on Jan. 3rd, 2011
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/resources-mac-apple-device-users-disabilities/
(Special Note: The site address shown above has much more for persons with disabilities including: assistance for settling claims, getting needed equipment and more. The article below was found at the link shown at the same link shown above. We recommend you to read the disclaimer for the above site mentioned. We disclaim any responsibility or liability for their policies or actions.)
Available in Mac OS X and Apple mobile devices, Apple has provided standard features such as magnification tools, speech commands, audio assistance cues, and mouse and keyboard configurations for Mac users with low visual, hearing, or physical and motor skill disabilities.
All these Mac disability support resources are included by default in the Mac operating system, plus there are several online tutorials and websites to help users understand how to use the assistive technology.
Even Mac users who don’t have disabilities might find these features useful—such as the speech command features that allow you to navigate your computer without using the mouse or trackpad.
Universal Access Features
One of the most useful tools for Mac users with disabilities is the Universal Access features, which can be found in System Preferences > Universal Access.
When you first enable these tools, you’re welcomed to an on-screen tutorial guide for how to use its features.
Screen Magnification
For example, enabling the Seeing tool provides the visually impaired or those with learning disabilities the ability to magnify a desktop screen for easier viewing.
This feature has options for the range of zoom and how the screen image moves in relationship the mouse. It also, of course has keyboard shortcuts for turning the feature on and off.
Another way to enlarge the screen for those with low vision is to open System Preferences > Displays and change the resolution size of the screen, from the actual size to a smaller size, making the font and icons much larger.
Similarly, in Mac OS X‘s Address Book, users with impaired vision may Control-click on a phone number label and select “Show in Large Type“ to get a really huge display of a selected phone number.
Also, in Safari’s Preferences, users can click the Advanced tab and change the minimum font size for the rendering a web page, from say 14 points to 18.
Speaking Features
For Mac users with hearing disabilities, the OS X’s Calculator features a speech command that will announce the numbers as they are pressed on the keypad.
Also check Jeffry Thurana’s how-to article on using the Mac’s popular Speech Commands features which allow users to navigate any Mac without using a mouse.
“How To Use Speech Commands on Your Mac”
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/having-a-conversation-with-your-mac-computer/
http://www.apple.com/accessibility/voiceover/downloads.htmlvideo
Online Resources
The resources described above are only a handful of the more than 50 other tools available for Mac users are disabilities. These features are all built into the Mac OS X operating system. Other tools enable users to customize the type of digital voice used for speaking and text commands, as well as use the numeric keypad of a keyboard to control the VoiceOver commands.
VoiceOver also has interactive tools to help you get started with its features.
In addition, Apple provides a great set of video tutorials explaining how to use of accessibility features, including Voice Over, screen magnification, mouse and trackpad sensitivity, and audible keyboard cues.
Apple - Accessibility - VoiceOver – video Downloads
http://www.apple.com/accessibility/voiceover/downloads.html
ATMac.org is also a useful site dedicated to providing reviews, how-tos, and other resources for Mac users with disabilities, chronic illness, or other impairments.
www.ATMac.org
Topics covered on the site include: Accessibility news about all Apple products
- New and updated AT software
- Software which has AT uses, although it may not be written with this purpose
- New and updated AT hardware that works with Apple products
- Getting the most from your existing hardware and software in terms of accessibility
- Hints, tips and tutorials about all of the above
- Coding accessible software
Apple Mobile Devices
Many of the assistive technology resource described above can also be found in Apple‘s mobile iOS 4 devices—the iPhone, iPod touch, and the iPad.
Tapping on the Settings app > General > Accessibility will provide similar Mac options for VoiceOver cues, zooming, and audible aide assistance.
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