Are you instead seeking Portable Device Accessibility Resources or Apple Device Resources?
Apple Resources
Support and resource websites
- AppleVis- accessible iDevice app reviews and articles by/for users with visual impairments, including the following:
- iOS Shortcuts - a list of gestures, keyboard, and braille display shortcuts and commands for iOS devices
- LookTel VoiceOver Tutorial - an app that provides a basic introduction to VoiceOver and the iOS gestures.
- Paths to Technology - technology website from Perkins School for the Blind eLearning, includes the following related to iOS devices use and teaching:
- iPads for Students with Visual Impairments - a LiveBinder created by Stephanie Isbell, a VI Specialist and COMS at Region 11 Education Service Center, for teachers of students with visual impairments.
- Accessible GPS Apps for iOS - a LiveBinder created by Chris Tabb, an Orientation and Mobility Consultant with TSBVI Outreach. Click the tab on the left hand side of the web site that says "Accessible GPS Apps for iOS."
- Braille Institute’s mobile apps - including ViA app aggregator and Big Browser for the iPad
- Mac-cessibility Network is a group of volunteers with visually impairments who provide news, commentary, podcasts, and other resources for Apple products.
- MacForTheBlind - another support and resources site designed for users with visual impairments
- Flying Blind, LLC provides a Tech Tidbits Newsletter that comes out every Thursday, and you can subscribe to it via their website.
Braille Display Resources
Books and eBooks
- iOS Access for All by Shelly Brisbin. Available as PDF or iBook.
- This guide is available directly from Shelly Brisbin, a long-time technology journalist, for $20.00. The guide is quite comprehensive, offers step-by-step instructions, and has screenshots of certain steps, which may benefit teachers. Updated for iOS 11.
- iOS 11 Without the Eye: the Definitive Guide to iOS 11 from a Blind Person’s Perspective, by Jonathan Mosen. Published by Mosen Consulting.
- This guide is available from Mosen Consulting for $19.95. It offers an update on what is available in the new iOS 11 for VoiceOver users. While not a comprehensive how-to manual, it provides detailed information on iOS features for users who are already familiar with using VoiceOver.
- iOS in the Classroom by Larry L. Lewis, Jr. Published by AFB Press.
- I have yet to review this book, but according to the website: "iOS in the Classroom is a fully illustrated step-by-step guide to teaching the use of the iPad running iOS 9 to students with visual impairments."
- iPad: Accessibility 2012 by Robert Miller and Miranda Anderson, Oklahoma School for the Blind.
- Available as PDF. This manual is available free online and, although somewhat dated, is still relevant as far as learning gestures, navigating the web, and organizing apps using VoiceOver. In addition, it has several chapters on using braille displays with the iPad.
iOS VoiceOver Bluetooth Keyboard Shortcut Commands
VoiceOver VO keys = Control + Alt
(On a windows keyboard the windows key = Command ⌘ key)
General navigation
| Keys | Action |
|---|
| VO + left or right |
Select previous or next item |
| VO + up or down |
Preforms or move to the selected rotor option |
| VO + Space |
Activate the selected item. (open app, press button) |
| VO + H |
Go to home screen |
| Escape |
Go back, cancel, close pop-up |
| VO + H H |
Open/close multitask pane |
| Command ⌘ + Tab |
Switch to next app or hold Shift for previous |
| Control |
Pause/resume speech |
| VO + A |
Read all from first object in selected area |
| VO + B |
Read all from selected item |
| VO + M |
Move to status bar |
| VO + I |
Open Item Chooser for current area |
| VO + F |
Search and go to match with Enter |
| VO + G |
Next search match, hold Shift for previous |
Handling VoiceOver
| Keys | Action |
|---|
| VO + S |
Toggle speech off/on |
| VO + Shift + S |
Toggle speech on/off |
| VO + Command ⌘ + up or down |
Adjust the selected speech rotor option |
| VO + Command ⌘ + left or right |
Change the speech rotor setting |
| VO + / |
Add label to selected item |
| VO + K |
Start VoiceOver training, Escape to exit |
Quick Nav Commands
Turn on "Quick Nav" to use these commands by pressing left + right arrow
| Keys | Action |
|---|
| up + down |
Activate the selected item. (open app, press button) |
| left or right |
Selects the previous or next item |
| up or down |
Preforms or move to the selected rotor option |
| up + left or right |
Change to next or previous rotor setting |
| Alt + left or right |
Move to next or previous horizontal screen/page |
| Alt + up or down |
Move/scroll up or down the screen/page |
| Control + up or down |
Select the first or last item in the area |
| Control + left or right |
Go to next or previous container/area |
Safari Web Shortcuts
Hold Shift for previous
| Keys | Action |
|---|
| VO+Q |
Turn on Single-key Quick Nav (iOS 9) |
| H |
Next heading |
| 1 to 6 |
Next respective heading level 1–6 |
| L |
Next link |
| S |
Next text element |
| W |
Next landmark |
| R |
Next text field |
| X |
Next list |
| T |
Next table |
| M |
Next element of same type |
| I |
Next image |
| B |
Next button |
| C |
Next form element |
Text Field Commands
You must have "Quick Nav" off to use these commands.
When moving cursor, hold Shift to select/deselect text
| Keys | Action |
|---|
| left or right |
Move cursor by character |
| up or down |
Move cursor by row |
| Alt + left or right |
Move cursor by word |
| Control or Command ⌘ + left or right |
Move cursor by phrase |
| Command ⌘ + A |
Select all |
| Command ⌘ + C |
Copy selection |
| Command ⌘ + X |
Cut selection |
| Command ⌘ + V |
Paste |
| Command ⌘ + Z |
Undo. Note: you can also shake the device |
| Eject |
Show/hide screen keyboard |
Attribution for Key Commands
