Filip Brož When I worked in an unnamed facility as a special educator with people with intellectual and combined disabilities, I perceived startling paradoxes. In the overwhelming majority of cases, people who have a disability are dependent on their only source of income – the disability pension. At the same time, the compensatory aids they need for everyday activities are very expensive and one device can cost several thousand crowns, for example an ordinary plastic communication book. In addition, it usually does not end with the purchase of one gadget.
Apple devices are also not among the cheapest, but they offer a comprehensive solution in one. For example, a person who is blind can get by with one iPhone or iPad and one specific compensatory aid. Moreover, it is increasingly common to apply for similarly expensive devices in the form of a subsidy. Ultimately, this eliminates the need to own dozens of different compensation devices.
[su_pullquote align=”right”]"We believe technology should be accessible to everyone."[/su_pullquote]
This is exactly what Apple was highlighting during the last keynote they were at new MacBook Pros introduced. He started the entire presentation with a video showing how his devices can help people with disabilities live a normal or at least a better life. He also launched a new one redesigned Accessibility page, focusing on this segment. "We believe technology should be accessible to everyone," writes Apple, showing stories in which its products actually help improve the lives of those with disabilities.
The emphasis on making its products accessible to the disabled was already visible in May of this year, when Apple started in its stores, including the Czech online store, sell compensatory aids and accessories for blind or otherwise physically disabled users. New category includes nineteen different products. The menu includes, for example, switches for better control of Apple devices in case of impaired motor skills, special covers on the keyboard for people with visual impairments or braille lines to make it easier for blind people to work with text.
[su_youtube url=”https://youtu.be/XB4cjbYywqg” width=”640″]
How people use them in practice, Apple demonstrated in the mentioned video during the last keynote. For example, blind student Mario Garcia is an avid photographer who uses VoiceOver when taking pictures. The voice assistant will describe to him in detail what is on his screen while taking pictures, including the number of people. The story of video editor Sada Paulson, who has impaired motor skills and body momentum, is also interesting. Because of this, she is completely confined to a wheelchair, but still manages to edit video on the iMac like a pro. To do this, she uses the side switches located on her wheelchair, which she uses to control the desktop of her computer. It is clear from the video that he has absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. He edits the short film like a pro.
Even in the Czech Republic, however, there are people who cannot tolerate Apple products. "Accessibility is a key feature that I cannot do without due to my handicap. If I had to make it more specific, I use this section to completely control Apple devices without visual control. VoiceOver is key for me, I can't work without it," says blind IT enthusiast, salesperson of compensation aids and Apple fan Karel Giebisch.
Time for a change
According to him, it is time to modernize and break down old barriers and prejudices, with which I completely agree. Many people who have various disabilities have experienced first-hand some kind of institutional facility where they were not worked with at all. I personally visited several such facilities and at times I felt like I was in a prison. Fortunately, the trend of recent years is deinstitutionalization, i.e. the abolition of large institutions and, on the contrary, moving people to community housing and smaller family houses, following the example of foreign countries.
"Today, technology is already at such a level that some types of handicap can be eliminated quite well. This means that technology opens up new possibilities, enabling disabled people to live a much better life and less dependent on specialized organizations," notes Giebisch, who uses an iPhone, iPad, MacBook, Apple Watch and iMac.
"In most cases, I get by with an iPhone, on which I perform a lot of tasks even on the go. I definitely don't have this device just for phone calls, but you could say I use it almost like a PC. Another key device is the iMac. I don't know why, but I find it extremely comfortable to work on. I have it on my desk at home, and I find it more pleasant to use than a MacBook," continues Giebisch.
Karel also uses a hardware keyboard in certain cases to make it easier to work on iOS. "Headphones are also important to me, so that I don't disturb the surroundings with VoiceOver, or hands-free when traveling," he explains, adding that from time to time he also connects a braille line, thanks to which he checks the displayed information on the display, through Braille, i.e. by touch.
“I know that with VoiceOver you can effectively take photos and even edit videos, but I haven't really looked into these matters yet. The only thing I use in this area so far are the alternative captions for photos created by VoiceOver, for example on Facebook. This guarantees that I can roughly estimate what is currently in the photo," Giebisch describes what he is capable of as a blind person with VoiceOver.
An integral part of Karl's life is the Watch, which he mainly uses to read notifications or respond to various messages and e-mails. "Apple Watch also supports VoiceOver and is therefore fully accessible for people with visual impairments," states Giebisch.
Passionate traveler
Even Pavel Dostál, who works as a freelance system administrator, would not be able to do without accessibility and its functions. "I like to travel very much. During October I visited twelve European cities. I can only see out of one eye, and it's bad. I have a congenital defect of the retina, a narrowed field of vision and nystagmus," describes Dostál.
“Without VoiceOver, I wouldn't be able to read the mail or the menu or the bus number. I wouldn't even be able to get to the train station in a foreign city, and above all, I wouldn't be able to work, let alone get an education, without access," says Pavel, who uses a MacBook Pro for work and an iPhone 7 Plus because of the high-quality camera that allows him to read printed text, information panels and similarly.
"Furthermore, I have a second-generation Apple Watch, which motivates me to do more sports and alerts me to all important events," states Dostál. He also notes that on the Mac his main application is iTerm, which he uses as much as possible. “It's more convenient for me than other graphics applications. When I travel, I can't do without offline Google Maps, which always take me where I need to go. I also often invert the colors on the devices," concludes Dostál.
The stories of Karel and Pavel are clear evidence that what Apple is doing in the field of accessibility and disabled people makes sense. So people who have a handicap can work and function in the world in a completely normal way, which is great. And many times, in addition, they can squeeze much more out of all Apple products than the average user is capable of. Compared to the competition, Apple has a huge lead in accessibility.
great article
I like Apple and their help to the disabled and the way they deal with health is great. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for them to get it. No other company does this. I just wish they wouldn't neglect computers as well.
I have my fingers crossed for everyone involved.
no one knows if they will ever need it.
Great article, Filip.
Thanks to my work, I've learned quite a few things with Voice Over, and I have to admit that it's incredible what you can do with it. And how simple! Good that such a helper exists.