Accessibility user settings

Accessible user settings on personal devices are crucial for improving usability, especially for people with disabilities or specific communication needs. This page contains information on useful accessibility settings available across most personal devices.

These accessibility features are designed to accommodate a wide range of needs, allowing users to personalise their device experience to suit their physical or sensory requirements. Devices typically have an 'Accessibility' section within settings, making these options easy to find and customise. 

Screen Readers 

Screen readers are essential for users with visual impairments. They read text aloud, describing content, including apps, websites and documents. 

• Windows: Narrator can read text and control the PC with keystrokes. It's available in multiple languages and can describe what's on the screen, even in pictures or icons.

• macOS/iOS: VoiceOver provides extensive support, describing everything happening on the screen and offering gestures for navigation.

• Android: TalkBack narrates user interface (UI) elements and offers gesture navigation for users with visual impairments.

These can be customised for:

• speech speed

• different voices and languages

• keyboard shortcuts for faster navigation

Magnification and zoom 

Magnification enlarges portions of the screen to aid users with low vision.

• Windows: magnifier tool provides options to zoom in on specific sections of the screen. You can follow the mouse cursor or text insertion point, and there's also a colour inversion option. 

• macOS/iOS: zoom allows users to magnify any part of the display. You can use gestures, like double-tapping with three fingers, to zoom in and out.

• Android: magnification gestures let users triple-tap the screen to zoom or pan across the screen. It can be turned on/off in 'Accessibility settings'. 

These can be customised to:

• set a default zoom level
• smooth panning for easier use
• magnify the entire screen or just parts

Display customisation

These settings make it easier for users with low vision or colour blindness to view content on their device. 

Text Size settings

This increases or decreases the default text size system-wide

• Windows: this can be found in the Display settings (Control Panel → Display → Make text bigger).
• macOS/iOS: users can adjust text size, bold text, or increase contrast in  'Accessibility settings'.
• Android: has the option to adjust the size of text and icons. 

High contrast

This setting inverts or alters colours to make text and objects stand out. 

• Windows: high contrast mode changes colours to black and white or any combination the user sets.
• macOS: increase contrast by reducing transparency and darkening colours in 'Accessibility'.
• Android: high contrast text and colour inversion can be enabled for better visibility. 

Colour filters

This is useful for colour-blind users, these filters can adjust screen colours based on specific types of colour blindness (like red-green).  Settings are available on iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS. 

Dark mode

This reduces brightness to protect sensitive eyes, reducing strain and making night-time viewing more comfortable. It is found in most systems' 'Display settings' (iOS, Android, Windows, macOS). 

Voice control

This is helpful for users who have limited mobility. Voice control systems allow hands-free use of devices. 

• Windows: speech recognition can be activated via Cortana, allowing the user to open apps, navigate the system, and write text using voice commands.
• macOS/iOS: Siri can perform basic tasks via voice commands, and with 'Voice Control', users can navigate the entire system, controlling gestures and typing with their voice.
• Android: Google Assistant handles a wide range of tasks, from opening apps to sending messages, making it versatile for users with mobility issues. 

This can be customised to:

• train the device to recognise your voice 

• set up voice profiles for personalised experiences

Closed captions and subtitles

These tools display spoken dialogue as on-screen text, which can be useful for users with hearing impairments or those in noisy environments. 

• Windows: closed captioning can be turned on via the 'Accessibility' settings.

• macOS/iOS: supports customisable closed captions in system-wide settings, with options to adjust font size, style, and background colour.

• Android: users can enable captions under the 'Accessibility' settings, and many video apps support automatic captions.

These can be customised for:

• font size and colour 

• background transparency 

• caption style (default, large, or outline fonts)

Switch control

This accessibility feature is for users who can't use traditional touchscreens or a mouse. It allows interaction through switches, which can be physical buttons, sensors, or even camera-based systems. 

• iOS/macOS: switch control allows users to use external adaptive switches or the device’s built-in sensors (such as head movements) to control the interface and lets users perform functions such as tapping, swiping, or typing.

• Windows: provides functionality through its on-screen keyboard and external switch support.

• Android: switch access can be configured to allow users to navigate the screen using adaptive switches or even the volume buttons.

Hearing aid compatibility

Many devices can now connect directly to hearing aids, amplifying sounds and improving audio clarity. 

• iOS: offers support for Made for iPhone (MFi) hearing aids, which can connect directly to the device, allowing users to control the audio, change settings, and even adjust volume via the iPhone. 

• Android: newer versions support Bluetooth connectivity to hearing aids, allowing similar functionality. 

This can be customised to:

• adjust sound balance and volume 

• route different types of audio to hearing aids (for example, phone calls and media)

Assistive touch and gestures 

For users who have difficulty pressing buttons, gestures provide an alternative. 

• iOS: AssistiveTouch creates an on-screen menu with shortcuts for gestures like pinch, swipe, or pressing the home button, making it easier for users with limited mobility to interact with their devices. 

• Android: Accessibility menu provides large icons for basic functions like taking screenshots, locking the phone, or adjusting volume. 

These can be customised to:

• create custom gestures for commonly used actions 

• change the sensitivity and response of gestures

Custom keyboards and typing assistance 

Typing can be challenging for some users, so personal devices offer predictive text, dictation, and alternative input methods. 

• Windows: on-screen keyboard can be used with a mouse or other input devices and predictive text can be enabled in the keyboard settings.

• macOS/iOS: dictation is available for converting speech to text, and alternative keyboards, like swipe typing or custom keyboards for dyslexic users, can be installed. 

• Android: offers third-party keyboards, such as Gboard, which have options like glide typing and voice input.

These can be customised to:

• set up personalised word suggestions 

• enable auto-correction and next-word prediction 

• custom layouts for easier typing

Vibration and haptic feedback 

Haptic feedback provides tactile feedback when interacting with the device, allowing users with hearing or visual impairments to receive notifications via vibrations. 

• iOS/Android: Users can adjust vibration patterns for different types of notifications (calls, texts, alerts), creating a more tailored experience for individuals with sensory disabilities. 

This can be customised to:

• set custom vibration patterns for different contacts or apps 

• turn on or off haptic feedback for certain actions (for example, when typing)