Android Accessibility Settings and Specialized Smartphones for Vision Loss
Android gives accessibility support for blind and low vision users with the TalkBack, and special accessibility features. Learn the basics of accessibility features for Android to enhance the user experience for individuals with low vision. You can explore features of the Android Accessibility Suite, including Select to Speak, Magnification, Magnifier, and other helpful accessibility tools. These Android's Accessibility Settings Give Access to Phones for users to customize display settings for optimal usability.
The SmartVision3: A Fully Accessible Android Smartphone
The SmartVision3 is a Google-certified Android smartphone for people who are blind or low vision that is 100% accessible, and can be controlled in three different ways: (i) a tactile keypad, (ii) talkback gestures on the touchscreen, (iii) and voice commands. Many individuals who are blind or visually impaired have difficulty using a smartphone because they find it challenging to use the built-in screen reader which requires the user to learn gestures that must be executed on the touchscreen. The SmartVision3 solves this challenge by allowing the user to control the smartphone through a tactile keypad, with large buttons.
Because the phone is Google certified, the user can download any app they want through Google Play, such as Facebook, Twitter, Uber, Amazon, DoorDash, and The New York Times. The smartphone includes a number of built-in apps that perform various functions, such as a color detector and finder, light detector, banknote recognizer, and more.
Control Methods and Features
- Tactile Keypad: Control and navigate the SmartVision3 via the tactile keypad with large buttons to place phone calls, write text, and more.
- Voice Control: The dedicated button on the right edge of the phone provides quick access to the Google Assistant and allows you to dictate text in the input area.
- SOS Function: When activated, up to ten numbers will be called in sequence, receive text message alerts, or both.
- Flexible Input: Users can use multiple input methods to control their phone and can easily move between those input methods.
SmartVision3 Basic Technical Specifications
| Dimensions | 159 x 68 x 10.4 mm / 6.26 x 2.68 x 0.41 inch |
| Wireless connectivity | Wi-Fi 802.11 (2.4 GHz b/g/n) and Bluetooth 4.2 |
| Keypad | Physical keypad with large tactile buttons |
| Carrier support | Unlocked 4G VoLTE phone compatible with T-Mobile, Affinity Cellular, and others |
Accessibility for Mobile Applications like YouTube
The YouTube Android app works with Android’s accessibility features. After you’ve turned on your Android accessibility settings, TalkBack and Explore By Touch can help you explore content and elements in the YouTube app. Explore the app via the main tabs which are Home, Subscriptions, and Library. Use one finger to scroll through videos in Home, playlists, or a channel; as you scroll, you'll hear the name of the video and the associated metadata.
To search for a video using Explore By Touch, tap the top of the screen to find the search button and double-tap to add your search to the "edit box." To bring up the player controls, double-tap the "Player" at the top of the screen. You can double-tap "pause video" to pause or use the "Minimize" button to browse while a video continues to play.