In today’s digital landscape, people rely on phones for just about everything. However, most of us are only aware of a fraction of the accessibility features that are in the palm of our hands. Smartphones have a variety of handy accessibility options, including built-in functions that make phones easy and more convenient, especially for people with disabilities.

These are some of the common accessibility options that will inclusively help us navigate our phones with ease.

Screen Reader

A screen reader reads out loud what’s on the screen, helping people with visual impairments understand and interact with their phone. Android and Apple phones have screen reader options that help the visually impaired navigate their phones. This feature is also available for those without impairments.

Voice Control

This feature allows users to control their phone using voice commands, which can be helpful for those with mobility issues or limited dexterity. On Android phones, voice access allows users to give spoken commands to call, text or open an application. It also works the same way on Apple phones. To turn on the feature in an iPhone, open the Settings app, tap the Accessibility option, scroll down to the Physical and Motor section, and then tap Voice Control to turn it on. Just in case it seems overwhelming to use, there’s a Voice Control Guide to refer to.

Customise Text Size and Font

This option is available on both Android and iPhone phones. It is an important accessibility option that allows users to adjust the appearance of text on their devices according to their preferences or needs. By customising text size and font, users can make their phones more comfortable to use, especially for people with visual impairments or those who prefer specific text styles for better readability.

Subtitles and Captions

Subtitles and captions on videos or voice messages provide text descriptions of audio content for users who are deaf or hard of hearing. However, this also comes in handy for those without these impairments. For example, if one wants to peek at a video or have a quick listen to a podcast in public when they don’t have earphones, their phone can easily generate subtitles to transcribe the audio.

Adjust Display Size

You can adjust more than the size of your text, including the buttons, boxes and other visual elements in your apps as well. For example, your home screen can fit a certain number of icons on it. If you turn up the display size, you might not be able to fit as many, but the ones you’re left with will be larger and easier to press on.

Colour Inversion/Colour Filters

Customising colour inversion or colour filters is an accessibility option that helps users adjust the colours on their devices to improve visibility or reduce discomfort. Normally, your phone displays content with colours. Colour inversion flips the colours so light becomes dark and vice versa. Colour filters allow users to change the colour palette of their screens. For instance, you can apply filters to reduce the intensity of certain colours or adjust the warmth of the display. By customising colour filters and using colour inversion, users can create a display that’s more comfortable and easier to interpret based on their specific colour perception needs.

Virtual Assistant

Google Assistant and Siri are software programs that understand and respond to voice commands to perform various tasks. Virtual assistants allow users to make phone calls, send messages, set reminders, check the weather, or even control smart home devices without using their hands.

Sound Notification

This is an accessibility option that listens for a variety of sounds and notifies you on your phone when that sound is detected. For example, when you turn on the Sound Recognition accessibility feature, your phone will notify you when it detects sounds from smoke and fire alarms, sirens, shouts, glass breaking or baby sounds.

Customisable gestures

As an accessibility option, this involves setting up personalised touch commands or motions to perform specific actions on the phone. This feature is particularly helpful for individuals who may have difficulty with standard touch interactions due to motor impairments or other disabilities.

Magnification

This option makes things on your phone’s screen bigger. Like a magnifying glass, it makes small text or images on your phone easier to see. When you turn on magnification, you can zoom in on different parts of the screen by tapping or swiping. This makes reading text, viewing pictures, or navigating through apps easier. You can adjust the level of magnification to suit your needs, making it a flexible tool for improving visibility on your phone.

Feel free to try out any of these features to improve your phone experience. By incorporating these accessibility options, phones become easier and more convenient to use.