- Accessibility Changes Lives
- Ellie’s iPad Provides New Opportunities
Coming from a Windows background and being fortunate to have relatively good vision for a “partially sighted” person, I never gave much thought to screen readers and speech programs. My home computer was a standard issue off-the-shelf model with no adaptive features. My partner, however, is legally blind and has cerebral palsy, she is also a non-typist. She had little interest in the machine outside of casino games like blackjack – her computing sessions often ended with the blue screen message “you have performed an illegal function”, causing her to believe the constabulary may soon be at our door. Despite this, there was always an interest, on her part, to understand how computers worked.
The computing landscape changed overnight when the iPad was released: now those interested in computing but in fear of keyboards could join the party. Being a touch-screen device, the iPad offered internet access with the touch of a finger. My partner, once limited to playing blackjack, was now able to explore a world that until now had been hidden from her. Apps, music downloads, iBooks, twitter and face book were just a finger tap away.
Ellie tests out her new iPad
Surfing the internet has now became part of daily life for her. Now instead of watching TV or listening to local radio, my partner is keeping up with world events, following her favourite sports teams, and reconnecting with friends located thousands of miles away.
She has gathered a long list of followers on both twitter and an app reviewing site called chomp, here she has rated better than 7,200 apps in 9 months!
The future can only bring more into her life as the products she uses are improved and her skills grow.
The iPad has changed the lives of countless individuals and I have been privileged to have a grandstand seat as one disabled user went from a person in complete fear to someone who considers their Apple devices more useful than shoes.
- Charlie Doremus
kandis smith April 21, 2012 at 9:52 am
I have cerebral palsy. can i buy an apt to help seri understand me
Ricky Buchanan April 21, 2012 at 12:18 pm
Kandis, I don’t think there’s any way to help Siri understand you unfortunately. It’s set up to expect able-bodied people’s speech patterns. Sorry!
Hollyann Burmeister April 25, 2012 at 1:20 pm
I agree the I pad is great for people with disabilities, I have parkinsons and my tremors are so bad at times that control is not an option. but I tried my friends Ipad and it worked great I also have speach trouble so to be able to communicate though computer at times is my life line. My concern is for me as well as so many I am on disability, and can not afford an IPad , it is medication and bills or Ipad. Is there any way the corporation could help some people. The cost is just to much.
Ricky Buchanan May 3, 2012 at 11:17 pm
Hollyann, there’s no corporations that fund these. The best option is to connect with Parkinsons-related support organisations, charities, etc. and see if any of those will help you. Also look for prices on refurbished older models through the Apple.com refurbish section in their online store – these are often considerably cheaper than the brand new ones.