Top tips for using a tablet or smartphone with low vision

Did you know, many people with low vision can and do use smartphones and tablets. In fact, sometimes, these devices can be more accessible than a PC or laptop would be. This could be for a few reasons:

A tablet or smartphone is portable and easy to hold, and so can be placed/held at a comfortable distance for viewing.

Generally, tablets and smartphones come with a wider variety of inbuilt accessibility settings than computers do, so they are easier and less costly to customise for low vision use.

It’s worth mentioning here that when we talk about tablets and smart phones, this does include iPhones and iPads. The “i” part of the name is branding; these devices are just different types of tablet and smartphone. Often, you’ll hear Apple devices (iPhone, iPad) being distinguished from Android devices (Samsung, Lenovo etc) simply because they are built on a slightly different system.

Low Vision Settings

Magnification / Zoom

If you have a smartphone or tablet, you have the option to magnify the contents of the screen. This option can be found in the “Accessibility” settings. On an Android device, it may be called “Magnification Gestures”, whereas on an iPhone/iPad this feature is called “Zoom” (not to be confused with the other Zoom!). On some devices, you can switch between full screen magnification and “window” magnification (wherein only part of the screen is magnified).

Large text / bold text

In the Accessibility settings, you will also find the option to increase the size of the text on your screen. You may also be able to make it bolder/darker, although it is worth noting that some devices have better options for improving font legibility than others. 

Display size

You may also be able to change the size of the icons/apps on your screen, depending on the specific device you have. On some devices, this option can be found in the Display settings, and on others you will find it in Accessibility.

Colour inversion / high contrast

Some people find that white text on a black background (as opposed to vice versa) is clearer and easier on their eyes. You can “invert” the colours of your screen in the Accessibility settings. It’s also worth noting that many devices now have the option to switch to a “dark theme”, which will turn the background black and the text white, though this will only work on some apps.

Colour filters

If you find yourself affected by glare, or you find that a white background makes things more difficult to read, you may find this feature useful. Some devices have the ability to set a filter/overlay of a colour of your choice, so that your screen might appear with a yellowish or pinkish hue for example. Some people find that these subtly colourful backgrounds make the words on their screens much easier to read.

Other Useful Settings

Brightness

Turning the brightness up or down on your device can make a big difference to visibility. Some people find a brighter screen easier to see, whereas others who are affected by glare may prefer a much lower brightness level. 

Night shift

This setting, available on some devices, reduces the “blue light” produced by your phone. Less blue light has been found to mean less eye strain/fatigue. Night shift changes the light emanating from your screen to a subtly yellow-orange hue, which can be much gentler on your eyes. You can set Night Shift to turn on automatically at a specific time of day. 

Wallpaper

As simple as it may sound, changing the wallpaper (home screen background) on your device can make the apps/icons much easier to see. Many people find that a plain black background can improve the contrast of their apps on the home screen, making them easier to navigate.

It’s important to remember that accessibility is not “one size fits all”. What works well for one person may not work for someone else, and sometimes it can take a little time to find what works best for you, especially if you are newer to technology. 

Writing Accessible Emails

When communicating via email, there are a few things you may wish to consider in terms of accessibility:

  • What is the default font size/style on your email account? (You can change this via File > Options > Mail > Stationery & Fonts).
  • If you are sending an email containing lots of text, is the information broken down into digestible sections? Clear headings may also help with this.
  • If you are including attachments, is it feasible to include the contents of the attachment in the body of the email as well for ease of access?
  • If you cannot include the contents of your attachment in the body of the email, is the file type of your attachment accessible for screen readers?

TV

People with vision impairment are moving away from specialist devices such as talking freeview boxes, as mainstream companies such as Sky and Virgin are incorporating accessibility into their operating systems.

For example, the Sky Q box has a microphone so you say the programme you want, it also has ‘voice guidance’ which is a screen reader function. It will also inform you via a handy beep if the program you are currently watching has audio description, a useful service that describes what is happening on tv for those who are unable to see it.

Social Media Accessibility Tips

Alt Text should be used to write any text that may be contained within a photo, for instance, a poster of an event. Alt Text should not be used as an alternative to clearly stating any relevant information within the main body of any tweet/post etc.

Never insert links into alt text, if there is a link you need your audience to look at/click on, place it in the main body of the post. If it is placed in the Alt Text, a screen reader cannot click on it directly. This also applies for email addresses and phone numbers.

When posting a photo, you should never post this without providing contextual text accompanying this

When using hashtags, capitalise each word as this ensures that screen readers recognise individual word e.g. #SeeThePerson.

It is preferable that hashtags are placed at the end of a post, not in the middle.

It is important to note that a screen reader will interact differently with each social media platform, depending on the screen reader software and the device you are utilising.