Accessibility and the iPad: First Impressions
As expected, at their press gathering this morning Apple announced their new product: the iPad. So what's an iPad? Will the iPad be accessible, and what will it mean for accessibility in general?
What's An iPad?
The iPad, at first glance, looks like an enlarged version of an iPod Touch or iPhone. It's 9.7 inches diagonally, compared to the iTouch's 4.7 inch diagonal screen so it's approximately twice the width and height (so four times the total area) but not thicker than the smaller devices.
Like the iTouch and iPhone, the iPad synchronises with iTunes and is not really designed to be anybody's primary computing device. Although it seems like you can do almost anything on this device, it's not designed to be a primary or only computing device - Apple expects you'll have a laptop or desktop computer as well.
The iPad runs the same operating system as the iPhone and iPod Touch, which means that all your existing applications should run on an iPad as soon as the devices are available - the existing apps will just look bigger on the iPad screen. And developers are already starting to develop iPad specific apps, which are designed for the larger screens and can take specific advantage of these.
What Accessibility Features Are Built In
All existing iPhone accessibility features will be available on the iPad. This means VoiceOver, screen zoom, white-on-black display, mono audio, and closed-captioned content will all be supported on every iPad. It seems from the iPad specifications that fewer languages will be supported, at least initially, which will impact some VoiceOver users.
What's New With Accessibility?
So what's new with the iPad which is relevant to assistive technology and use by people with disabilities?
An iPad docked to an external keyboard. Wireless keyboards can also be used with the device, according to Apple.
- Size!
- The iPad is bigger. I know this is obvious, but the implications are that people motor control problems such as cerebral palsy may be able to use this device more easily than the smaller ones, as less very fine motor control is needed for many tasks. Of course programs developed especially for the iPad will will need fine motor skills, but programs aimed at the iPhone and iTouch which can be used "zoomed up" on the iPad will all need less fine motor skills as all their controls will also be bigger. I would also expect that programs specifically for people with disabilities will surely be developed which use larger controls. This increased size will make the iPad a viable AAC device for a group of people who were not able to use AAC programs on the iPod Touch/iPhone because of their small size, making cheap and affordable AAC available to them for the first time.
- External Keyboard
- Although the existing on-screen keyboards will probably still be most people's primary text input method, the iPad can optionally be connected to an external keyboard which, it seems, will automatically work with any app which usually uses an on-screen keyboard. An external keyboard will be a huge boon to those who have trouble with a keyboard with no tactile feedback - especially blind users - and for those who have a hard time with a keyboard requiring skin contact, such as stylus and head pointer users. Compatibility with an external keyboard also gives us a possibility that alternative keyboard devices with different hardware could be developed for the iPad. Examples may be switch input devices which output keystrokes, like the TandemMaster Morse-2-USB device, or keyboards with different key arrangements designed to be ergonomic, brightly coloured, and so forth.
- Speakers
- The iPad comes with built in speakers. The videos of the iPad on Apple's website show people sitting on a sofa watching movies using sound only from the speakers, so these would seem to be significantly louder than the speakers built into the existing iTouch devices. [Ed: Note that the linked video is not captioned - Apple, please do better!] People using speech generating AAC programs on the iPad may be able to use the iPad without needing additional external speakers, which would be a boon.
- Simple Interface
- Existing tablet-based computers which run Windows already exist, but this tablet is different. One big difference is that the operating system it runs is more like the iPhone/iPod Touch system, not like an operating system you'd see on a desktop computer. This gives us cognitive simplicity. There's no confusing file system or remembering what you called something. There's no need to log in. You can put a website on the home screen and it works the same as a regular application. Only one thing happens at once. The touchscreen interface is also cognitively simpler than a regular computer: you touch a program to start it, if you want to activate a control you touch it. This is much simpler in mental terms than the "one step removed" system of using a mouse or keyboard where you move the mouse or press a key to make something happen on the screen. These things together may open doors for those who can't easily deal with with a regular computer due to with intellectual disabilities, brain injury, or other neurological and cognitive impairments to be willing/able to use the iPad more independently and to learn to use it more quickly. It also may give confidence to the older generation to start using the internet through an iPad because it doesn't look like a computer and so isn't as overwhelming to use.
What other possibilities can you see following from the iPad?
And More?
Apple are known for always updating and upgrading their devices, often quickly adding new and unexpected features. Remember the first iPhones with no VoiceOver, no copy-and-paste features, and so on? The features on Apple's websites won't be all that the iPad's second, third, and subsequent generations will deliver.
What do you most hope to see in an iPad? Is there a piece of hardware you'd love to see developed, a piece of software, a change of design? Leave us a comment!
- Ricky Buchanan
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78 Responses to Accessibility and the iPad: First Impressions
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[...] Yourself Backups For Christmas Create Accessible Podcast And iTunes U Content & lastly Accessibility and the iPad - First Impressions Thom Lohman of the DCMP was recently a guest blogger here on Teaching All Students. Read here [...]
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[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Ian Douglas, Ian Douglas, STC AccessAbilitySIG, Mike Paciello, Stefan Asemota and others. Stefan Asemota said: #Accessibility and the #iPad, first impressions - @ATMacJournal: by @RickyBuchanan via @HeikoKunert @PerBusch [...]
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[...] a blessing. Ricky Buchanan, who blogs on Mac accessibility issues and has long-term, severe ME, notes that people with motor control problems may use iPhone/iPT programs more easily on the iPad than on [...]
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[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Mitsugu, Dave Williams and Hussein Patwa, Damon Rose. Damon Rose said: RT @dwilliamsuk Accessibility and the iPad: First Impressions http://atmac.org/accessibility-and-the-ipad-first-impressions [...]
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[...] able to use this neat-looking device regardless. And as Ricky pointed out in her excellent “Accessibility and the iPad: First Impressions” article the bigger screen alone makes the iPad immediately more accessible for people with [...]
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[...] For more details on exactly what each of these features is and does, read this in depth post on AtMac blog which focuses on assistive technologies for Apple and Mac [...]
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[...] features of the iPhone in the iPad operating system, as has been documented elsewhere (see Accessibility and the iPad: First Impressions and Hey Apple, What About iPad’s Accessibility?). So the iPad starts out with full zoom, [...]
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[...] ~ Accessibility and the iPad: First Impressions | ATMac [...]
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[...] able to use this neat-looking device regardless. And as Ricky pointed out in her excellent “Accessibility and the iPad: First Impressions” article the bigger screen alone makes the iPad immediately more accessible for people with [...]
New ATMac post: Accessibilty and the iPad: First Impressions http://bit.ly/9EoBXx
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Very good points - great post!
However the iPad's bigger screen I think will mean more scrolling and tedious work. Think about it - now that you have a full webpage on the screen, finding links might be harder or scrolling around constantly painful. That's my only concern - otherwise I can see this as a great market for older seniors and those with learning disabilities for sure. The interface as seen on the touch is very good.
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Accessibility Features Improved on Apple IPad
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It goes without saying I'd like P2G to work on this.
What about environmental control so you could use it to turn your telly over, like a giant touchscreen tv remote, if your remote buttons were too small?
My Lightwriter is meant to have EC on but I've never been able to get it to work my bedroom TV which has really small buttons on remote. Ability to use sky (satellite tv) etc.
There's a piece of open source software called AAC keys which is used to allow communication aid to sent text to computers. eg if the person used minspeak they could compose their text on their pathfinder etc and then send it into email. The idea is you could use your ipad to access 'guest' computers if you was in hotel and their computer didnt have word prediction etc, using something like P2G to construct your sentences, this would be particuarly valuable if the iPad worked with bluetooth switch for switch users to use it to access any computer. It could help alot of people if someone could work out how to turn AAC keys into an apple app for iPad.
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Of course, the main thing I'd like to see is continued development of speech recognition. With iWork integration and good speech recognition, this becomes a very appealing device as a notebook replacement for many things. The processor seems to move things along, so that bodes well for future development. I'm very optimistic.
The multi-touch stuff... cool, to be sure, but doesn't apply to me as a quadriplegic. C'est la vie.
Thanks for the quick first impressions.
I imagine Dragon dictation and Dragon search should  both work with the iPad. Those two apps alone would obviously add a nice bit of accesability and you wouldn't need to buy an external microphone as the iPad includes one. I'm sure other assistive technology apps will come along but as for hardware it's difficult to say there is really only a dock connector on the thing. There is Bluetooth but we have yet to be told what profiles are supported.
Some good news is that Ten One Design announced that the Pogo stylus and Pogo sketch will both work with the iPad. The Pogo stylus in particular has proven to be one of the few, if only, ways to use an Apple touchscreen device. The same magic that makes these styluses work can also be applied to a homemade mouthstick. I'll talk about this more in an upcoming post as I just found out about it myself.
In any case, I'm still not sure who the iPad is for. I don't know many people who need a third device, let alone could afford one. As a iPod touch user I might be able to justify upgrading to an iPad, the wi-fi version that is, but that thing looks too big to mount on my wheelchair armrest. I'd obviously have try one out first.
My parents have never had a computer or any kind of Internet connectivity but they are finally starting to show at least a little bit of interest of getting into it. Â I think the iPad might be a really good solution for people like them. It does all the basic stuff really well, is easy-to-use, and wouldn't be prone to the sometimes complicated technical issues that plague computers.
But there's still some issues. Off the top of my head no flash, no multitasking, and the need to have a personal computer to sync it with. But some or all of these issues may be solved in time. It's just still too early to tell. I like what I see so far though.
Great review, especially considering you don't actually have an ipad (yet). It looks like it could be a good size for people who use headpointing. I wonder if it will work with infrared mouse emulators? Also, of course I'd like to see switch scanning as an option. The size and portability makes me wonder about the possibility of using it for remote control/ECU. Damn, I wish I knew how to write Apps!!
I'm anxious to see how AAC device manufacturers respond to this. I am hopeful that PRC will license Unity for the iPad, for example, although I suspect that may be a pipe dream. I do think this may be a game changer, and I hope AAC companies recognize that and don't get left behind.
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Accessibilty and the iPad: First Impressions http://tinyurl.com/ybeuadz
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OMG, I am dyin' here! Just blogged about this last night for my little girl! I just found your blog tonight and it is great! YES, YES, YES, YES, YES..... SO excited about this. As soon as it hit my pc, last night, I was in convultions! I am already scheming how to get this for her! This is what we have been waitin' for!
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Fantastic site and great article! Thanks for the info. I'm also excited about the possibilities for my 5 year old daughter! Can't wait to see what it can do!!
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[...] Yourself Backups For Christmas Create Accessible Podcast And iTunes U Content & lastly Accessibility and the iPad - First Impressions Thom Lohman of the DCMP was recently a guest blogger here on Teaching All Students. Read here [...]
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who is Ricky Buchanan? RT @blindgeek RT @grtdane: Accessibilty and the iPad: First Impressions http://tinyurl.com/ybeuadz
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Well I’m certainly excited!! - Accessibilty and the iPad: First Impressions http://tinyurl.com/ybeuadz
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Worth a read RT @bgilormini: Accessibilty and the #iPad: First Impressions http://tinyurl.com/ybeuadz via @bwwojci #apple
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There are confirmed reports that Apple will support Bluetooth 2.1 profiles on it. It will support inputs from the dock that it will sell along with other BT keyboards.
One of the areas in which further development needs to be done by Apple is supporting braille displays for the iPod and the iPad. There are multiple Bluetooth brialle displays available that can be supported as they are on the Mac. The custom processor will ensure faster response time and avoid memory issues faced by current Voiceover users.
The most interesting capability that I foresee being potentially important is the support for epub format books through the iBook store. If Apple manages to implement the DRM correctly, this could potentially be a revolutionary device for blind and visually impaired users. A correct implementation of DRM will mean that the text will have to be somehow available for reading through VOiceover. In addition, Voiceover needs to be enhanced enough to provide better reading/navigation capabilities for reading long text-based books.
Accessibility and the iPad: First Impressions http://atmac.org/accessibility-and-the-ipad-first-impressions/
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[...] a blessing. Ricky Buchanan, who blogs on Mac accessibility issues and has long-term, severe ME, notes that people with motor control problems may use iPhone/iPT programs more easily on the iPad than on [...]
What I am eventually hoping for is some sort of Daisy reader for this. To be able to use this as a portable Daisy reader with compatibility with Bookshare would be great for those with low vision.
@dcv: A DAISY reader exists for the iPod Touch/iPhone but it's got some major shortcomings at the moment. I have a post coming up in a day or two about it.
Accessibility and the iPad: First Impressions http://tinyurl.com/ycxuhnu
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1. For us it is switch access all the way.
2. From there some auditory scanning via switches with voice output.
3. And my last item on the wish list (for now) is the ability to choose your own keyboard setting eg if you want the standard you use it, or you might choose a 'text/phone' style keyboard, you might want morse entry (we do) like iditdahtext (only for jailbroken phones - ugh), or 'fat finger entry' so big key options, and finally "swype" http://www.swypeinc.com/product.html
If you could pick your keyboard in your preferences wouldn't that make more sense?
Great post - very comprehensive.
First Impressions from ATMac on the iPad (from AT for Apple and Mac Users Blog) http://icio.us/sqhsdu
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Hold on. Back to paragraph 2. The screen diagonal is just under twice that of an i-Touch. That means the width and height are also just under twice as big - assuming the proportions are the same. The area is roughly four times as big.
All the iPad jokes are great, except it’s going to be great for people with disabilities of all types: http://bit.ly/dcYaGv
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@Hugh: Oops, you're right! I've fixed that - thank you.
Interesting article on the iPad and accessibility. http://twurl.nl/8i64tm (via @scenariogirl)
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Again - really excited about the iPad for our daughter!!
Accessibility and the iPad: First Impressions http://tinyurl.com/ycxuhnu
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Accessibility and the iPad: First Impressions http://tinyurl.com/ycxuhnu
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I agree with your views, the iPad will be terrific. We cannot wait to get one for our daughter. I would also add that the ability to have a device that can access the Internet continuously will be a benefit.
Accessibility and the iPad: First Impressions: http://bit.ly/cHHdHU #accessibility
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More first impressions of the iPad’s accessibility, lots of points I hadn’t thought of http://tinyurl.com/ycxuhnu
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[...] able to use this neat-looking device regardless. And as Ricky pointed out in her excellent “Accessibility and the iPad: First Impressions” article the bigger screen alone makes the iPad immediately more accessible for people with [...]
I believe that iPad will be great for people have a hand-mobilty problem who have had difficulty using smaller smartphones, such as iPhones, Droid phones, blackberries.
I am disappointed as a deaf person with cerebral palsy who wants a complete "smartphone with a web cam" that would be used as a complete travel all-in-one office device with a videophone feature. I hope for a web cam in next version of iPad
@mark hill: I'm also deaf with co-ordination problems. I am disappointed the 3G version will be data only and not be able to send text messages, otherwise I would have waited for that version and paid more.
I wondered if it be possible to connect via the bluetooth and pair the device with a smaller phone like you can do with the vantage communication aid? Then use Proloquo2go to compose a text message and send it to my Blackberry Storm, which also has Bluetooth built in so they should be able to 'find each other' if iPad also has Bluetooth built in to work keyboard?
The question is: If you’ve bought a book for the iPad, will you in the future be able to transfer it to another device or will you be locked in by stupid DRM?
Lars Gunther´s last blog ..Högre kvalitet pÃ¥ webb-utbildningen pÃ¥ gymnasiet
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@Lars: That's something we won't know until Apple tells us, I guess. I don't know of any information that's been released at the moment. I'd be happily surprised if there's no DRM though, I must say, as most of the book industry seems to demand it at the moment. But given Apple's history of removing it from Music perhaps even if there's DRM now there won't be DRM later? We can only wait and see...
Simply based on the form factor, of being an oversized iPod Touch, I think the iPad will be useful as a remote for an ECU. I plan to get the small permobil tray, to see if my son can still use the joystick controls while the tray is in place. I’ve had limited success using a Naja with his iPhone.
From there I will re-familiarize myself with Indigo and the Indigo Touch app which can control INSTEON and X-10 devices; lighting, HVAC, motion sensors, automatic doors, and more. I may order the IR Transmitter LAN/WiFi module and the iRed Touch app which allows the iPhone to double as a programmable IR remote. I will investigate how iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad apps can interact with television using apps from EyeTV and DirecTV (as well as Apple own AppleTV), or audio sources from Sirius XM and Sonos. There are apps to control home alarms from CPI and apps to control surveillance cameras from SecuritySpy.
What I find remarkable is that unlike proprietary systems like Lutron and Crestron, for a fraction of the cost the INSTEON hardware and supported software can be implemented as time and money permits.
Accessibility and the iPad: First Impressions http://tinyurl.com/ycxuhnu
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ATMac.org looks at the newly unveiled #Apple #iPad from an #accessibility perspective - http://j.mp/aDSwrE #a11y
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We are thinking that iPad may work well with Boardmaker. Are there currently any apps that would look like this?
[...] For more details on exactly what each of these features is and does, read this in depth post on AtMac blog which focuses on assistive technologies for Apple and Mac [...]
http://tinyurl.com/ycxuhnu
Accessibility and the iPad: First Impressions | ATMac
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I could have imagined that this would be an excellent product for people using various physical pointing devices - but they've chosen a capacitive screen :(
It COULD have been so much better :(
@Tina: You might like to check out our other recent article, Accessing The iPad With Mouthsticks And Styluses
[...] features of the iPhone in the iPad operating system, as has been documented elsewhere (see Accessibility and the iPad: First Impressions and Hey Apple, What About iPad’s Accessibility?). So the iPad starts out with full zoom, [...]
[...] ~ Accessibility and the iPad: First Impressions | ATMac [...]
Not mentioned here is that you can also go to the Settings | Accessibility app in the iPad and enable it to speak whatever you select on the screen. In addition, you can enable zoom and change the contrast of the screen.
Apple really put in some thought on making it accessible to people with disabilities.
@Trish: VoiceOver does speak what's on screen, but it also changes the whole set of gestures you use to control the iPad, it's a full screen reader not just a "speak selected text" type of setting. I'm still learning how to use it, myself! And yes, the zoom and high contrast settings are also available. Thanks for mentioning that again.
I have asked Apple UK to provide a mouse input for the iPad.
It can be jail broken to add one but why should disabled people have to do this.
I think that as a phone, book reader/speaker, iPod, radio tuner ( using Apps- why doesn't apple use the broadcom chip inside to do this?) the iPad will work well for me.
I suffer from MND so muscle weakening and speech loss will happen for me. If I cannot speak at least I can end texts :-)
Best wishes to all
Mike
@Mike: It's always good to send accessibility requests via email to accessibility@apple.com as the accessibility team will get them that way. I think mouse input would be great too!
[...] able to use this neat-looking device regardless. And as Ricky pointed out in her excellent “Accessibility and the iPad: First Impressions” article the bigger screen alone makes the iPad immediately more accessible for people with [...]