iOS 7 and Accessibility
As we are all well aware iOS 7 was released earlier this week. Change is inevitable; it is pure excitement and joy for some but not always easy for others. As any provider of tech support knows our focus is on the later. Apparently we know all the answers even though we are seeing the new iOS for the first time as well.
Thankfully there are those excited to explore and test out the iOS and share their findings. Can’t figure out how to close an app – search for it and you will find an answer. Many people have posted tips and tricks for the new iOS. MacLife has posted 90 of them, but for a shorter list I would recommend TechCrunch.
For me the focus is on accessibility features. On a personal note I have vision issues and the new fonts and color scheme can pose a problem there are settings to address some of these but really yellow font on a blue background and white on red do not make for easy reading. There are often issues with text and images overlapping. For a look at some of these I recommend taking a look at Sloppy UI. For a company that prides itself on flawless design, an intuitive user experience and accessibility I feel they have fallen short. These may appear minor to many but to some this is no small issue.
Professionally the new iOS means I need to revamp training and workshop materials related to accessibility and the new iOS. Next month I am co-presenting at MassCUE’s annual conference. My colleague, Kristin a teacher of the visually impaired, has an excellent grasp of the accessibility features and uses them daily. I always look forward to working with her, I learn so much. Redoing all our materials with new screen shots and videos is a time consuming task. On the plus side it is forcing me to dig deep into the new iOS.
Have fun exploring.
Resources
iOS 7 What’s New
iOS 7 Business (Education)
iOS 7 Apps Features and Settings
iOS 7 Accessibility
3rd Party Accessibility Apps
Apple Accessibility Resources
3 thoughts on “iOS 7 and Accessibility”
Hello,
My name is Haley Smith, and I am a student in EDM310 at the University of South Alabama in Mobile, AL. I was assigned your blog to comment and summarize for class. I have an iPhone and I have yet to update my phone to the iOS 7. I am just worried that I will hate it and there wouldn’t be a way change it back. I really like all of the resources you provided to learn more about the iOS 7 and I will enjoy looking through them in due time.
Hi Haley,
It took me a couple of weeks to update to iOS 7 on my phone. Once it is done you can’t go back. Though I found text easier to read and the distinct visual cues in iOS 6 I am getting use to iOS 7.
Hello,
I have thoroughly enjoyed iOS 7. Definitely more vibrant and engineered to be even more user friendly. However, I never like major updates in the beginning because my familiarity goes out the window on so many things and I have to learn it all over. In the end, most large updates have been a positive integration in the computer world.
Lastly, I wanted to say that I very rarely go to any help sites. I have found that just working at it long enough, gives me a better sense over the entire program anyway.