If you have a disability, social inclusion using assistive technology can help enormously. Smartphones, iPads, and tablets are brimming with accessibility apps that allow a person with a disability do what a non-disabled person takes for granted. In this series of articles, we will be explaining the many applications available. We will discuss what they can do and how to access them.
Apple, in referring to its iPhone says:
The world’s most personal device was designed for every person. So a person who’s blind can take group selfies. A person who’s deaf can call Mum from overseas. And a person who can’t move from the neck down can send text messages to friends
https://www.apple.com/au/accessibility/iphone
This isn’t an idle boast but knowing how to access the assistive technology on the phone is another matter.
Siri as assistive technology
Siri was first introduced in 2011 and is available on both iPhones and iPads. As a result, they can now be used with voice activation or typed-in commands. Today we will discuss voice activation. If you have limited vision or mobility you will find it very useful.
Unfortunately, for people with a speech impediment, it doesn’t work as well, as comedian Jonathon Ross found out. Ross has difficulty in pronouncing the letter “R”. This tongue-in-cheek article explains what happened when Siri misunderstood his command. While Ross can laugh about it, for many people with speech impediment it is no laughing matter. Fortunately, there are alternatives for people with speech impediments and these will be dealt with in a future article.
25 common things Siri can do to help with social inclusion
Here is a list of things Siri can help when it comes to social inclusion.
- Make calls to anyone who is in your contact list
- Send money to your contacts through third-party apps like ApplePay or PayPal
- Read any screen – you decide at the speed you want it to be read
- Turn on alarms and reminders
- Call taxies or Uber
- Take photographs and videos. Yes, even selfies!
- Turn on the timer
- Search the internet for anything
- Read unread messages and reply to them
- Call emergency services
- Spelling
- Maths
- Translate up to nine languages
- Turn on home automation provided you have the compatible applications
- Turn your flashlight on and off
- Use GPS through Apple Maps
- Check the weather
- Access You-Tube
- Play music
- Obtain sports scores and schedules
- Send emails
- Check nutrition and calories
- Make a shopping list
- Add an app
- Open Settings on your device
There will be more information about how to use these commands in future articles. But first, we need to set Siri up.
Setting up Siri for voice activation
It is important to note that if you have an iPhone 6 or lower, or an iPad 5th Generation or lower, you will need to have the device plugged in for Siri to work on voice activation. There is a workaround for this which is explained here.
To access Siri on your iPhone or iPad go to your Settings > Siri & Search > Turn on Listen for “Hey Siri”.
You will see the following screen.
In addition, you can also select from any language and change Siri’s voice. It can be male or female.
Once you have enabled Siri it will take you through a series of short requests where you will need to repeat “Hey Siri” and say a couple of phrases. This is so Siri recognises your voice and won’t respond to strangers accessing your phone.
Now Siri is set up to help. Just say ‘Hey Siri’ and tell it what you would like to do. Even if your phone is locked, the words ‘hey Siri’ will wake it up, For example, if you need reminding to take medication at a particular time you will say “Hey Siri, remind me to take my medication at …” Siri will respond and confirm your command.
Accessing and using Siri is the start of bridging the gap between the disabled and non-disabled. You can navigate, write and edit, just with your voice.
Follow this blog as we discover how to use Siri efficiently and the many other useful applications that are available on both Apple and Android devices.
Do you, or someone you love, need help with social inclusion?
Care to Change is a registered NDIS provider. Therefore, we are committed to assisting individuals to achieve the most from their lives. You can contact us by calling 1300 515 888 or email[email protected]. You can also use our contact form on our website https://www.caretochange.com.au/contact-us/. We will get back to you within 24 hours.
