Information on mobile accessibility and how to use your mobile or tablet to help you with your studies or work. There are many apps and accessibility features out there to help disabled users. These change so rapidly that we felt it was not worthwhile to try and create our own list but rather we hope the advice on sources of guidance and useful search terms will help you be able to locate the most suitable application for you. Buying a new phone If you are planning to buy a new mobile phone and want to compare phones on their accessibility features there is a useful website run by GARI (The Global Accessibility Reporting Initiative). Global Accessibility Reporting Initiative Using your current phone Mobile phone companies also have useful guidance on the accessibility of their phones, e.g. Apple accessibility Blackberry accessibility Samsung accessibility Many phones have inbuilt text to speech readers, colour contrast and magnification tools.Your phone may also have other useful inbuilt features - such as taking quick notes, reminder setting, planning tools, audio recording - that can help you manage your studies; check the user guide for advice. Accessibility Applications The GARI website also has a list of useful applications categorised by support for hearing / speech / vision / cognition: Gari applications Useful search terms As well as searching by impairment name “dyslexia, deafness, etc”, more general search terms may come up with helpful applications. You may find it helpful to check if the app or feature is well reviewed by other users especially University students. Text to speech or TTS Spellchecker Homophone checker Reminders Speech Amplification Organiser To do Mind map or mindmap Concept map Audio recording apps VI or visual impairment apps Flash alert apps Apps for students Time management apps Study skill apps Things to watch out for If looking for sign language applications make sure you select the correct country – sign language varies from country to country. In the UK British Sign Language is the recognised official sign language and you can search for “BSL”. If searching for applications which include spellcheckers, e.g. to help with specific learning difficulties such as Dyslexia, make sure the spellchecker is based on UK English and not American English. Make sure you are happy with the privacy settings when downloading any applications Further information and feedback For more information on the above, if you have any suggestion or feedback of if you would like any information in an alternative format then please contact Viki Galt, Head of Disability Information, Information Services, contact details below. Viki Galt Head of Disability Information Information Services Contact details Work: 0131 650 6645 Email: viki.galt@ed.ac.uk BSL users can contact me via Contact Scotland BSL, the on-line British Sign Language interpreting service. Find out more on the Contact Scotland BSL website. This article was published on 2024-10-08
