Apple Tips, Tricks and more!
(a Braille Challenge presentation)
Note: This is but a sample listing of tips and resources for Apple portable mobile technologies. We have attempted to collect simple and easy to understand information. There exists much more. Feel free to contact any of the presenters of this workshop for more information.
Presenters:
Richard Rueda
Director of Transition Services
Junior Blind of America
1814 Franklin St, 11th Floor., Oakland, CA 94612
Tel: (888) 400-4522 Ext. 460 | Fax: (510) 446-2262 - Email:
Jeremy Hartley
Access Ingenuity
E-mail:
Lisamaria Martinez
Donor Relations Coordinator
LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired
214 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94102
Direct:(415) 694-7350 - Email:
Simply getting Started with Apple
1. The best advice on determining which device, accessory or unit is best for you or your child is to visit a local Apple store. Apple has knowledgeable staff who can demonstrate how products work. Apple stores have great warranties and One-to-One training options when products are purchased. If near the Apple store on Stockton Street (adjacent to Powell Street BART) in San Francisco, talk with Malcolm Sage, who is not only familiar with vision loss, but can also keenly demonstrate Apple’s built in accessibility on items. Also visit: and for special pricing on Macintosh products.
2. Mac Academy Training From Handytech North America
An in-depth workbook and mp3 tutorial that gets users up and running quickly with their Macintosh computers. Well worth the $75.00 price tag.
3. The Carroll Center for the Blind has received a $25,000 grant from the Carl and Ruth Shapiro Foundation to equip a new Apple Training lab and develop online courses that will enable people who are blind or have low vision to independently use Apple products with Zoom and Voice Over applications.
Apple has added accessibility features that include Zoom, a screen magnification application and Voice Over, a screen reader application, to their newer products making them attractive to consumers with vision loss. These technologies include the Macintosh computer, iPhone, iPad II and iPod Touch. The Carroll Center will also train professionals who work with children and adults who are visually impaired. Visit for more details.
4. Getting Started with the IPhone from National Braille Press
This comprehensive guide takes users through setting up and using the IOS device using the VoiceOver screen reader. A must have for anyone looking to get the most out of their IOS devices and VoiceOver.
Popular & Accessible Apps
*Note, there are a significant amount. This list is but a sample. Networking with other blind iPhone users will procure additional choice Apps.
ILike2Read: Simple and functional program for reading various types of documents. Supported formats: txt, html, rtf, pdf.
Audiobooks: Accessible app with a large audio library with several free reads.
AidColors: allows visually impaired people to identify the color of clothing and other objects.
Read2Go Bookshare App: Coupled with a bookshare.org membership, this $20 app provides a portable option to download and read newspapers and magazines.
LookTel Money Reader: instantly recognizes currency and speaks the denomination, enabling people with visual impairments or blindness to quickly and easily identify bill denominations.
Sendero GPS: Simple functional app giving nearest cross streets, address and closest five points of interest.
Hulu Plus: Watch television shows instantly and accessibly.
App and AppleResources
AppleVis Website
Contains listings and reviews of Macintosh and IOS apps and accessories. Includes product descriptions as well as accessibility ratings.
Maccessibility:
The Mac-cessibility Network is devoted to connecting, compiling, and providing easy access to the best resources for blind, visually impaired, and other disability groups using Apple products. It is maintained by a dedicated group of visually impaired volunteers, who are Apple enthusiasts themselves.
.net/