VoiceOver

Using Apple’s Built-In Accessibility Features to Reduce Screen Exposure During Severe Headaches

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Summary

Some people experience severe headaches or migraines that make screen use difficult—especially when light sensitivity (photophobia) and flicker or refresh effects are major triggers. While display adjustments can help, there are days when the most effective strategy is to reduce visual reliance as much as possible.

If you use an iPhone and Mac, Apple includes several built-in accessibility tools that can support a “low-screen” or even “no-screen” workflow—particularly for everyday tasks like reading and replying to email.

This article focuses on the built-in Mail app and outlines a practical approach using:
VoiceOver (screen reader),
Voice Control (hands-free voice operation),
and Dictation (speech-to-text composition).

Why VoiceOver and Voice Control can help when light and flicker are triggers

VoiceOver reads on-screen content aloud and provides a structured navigation model that does not require visually scanning the interface. Instead of looking for buttons or reading text, users move through content sequentially and receive spoken feedback.

Voice Control complements this by allowing users to operate their device through spoken commands. Actions such as opening Mail, scrolling, replying, and sending messages can often be completed without touching or looking closely at the screen.

For people whose primary headache triggers include light sensitivity and flicker, combining these tools can significantly reduce both the duration and intensity of screen exposure.

iPhone: Building a low-screen Mail workflow on iOS

Turn on VoiceOver

VoiceOver can be enabled from Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver. Apple provides a built-in practice experience that introduces the gesture model and basic navigation concepts.

Learn a minimal set of VoiceOver gestures

It is not necessary to learn every gesture. Starting with a small core set allows users to begin working quickly and add complexity later.

  • Swipe right: move to the next item.
  • Swipe left: move to the previous item.
  • Double-tap: activate the selected item.
  • Two-finger swipe up: read the entire screen from the top.
  • Two-finger tap: pause or resume speech.
  • Four-finger tap near the top: jump to the first item.
  • Four-finger tap near the bottom: jump to the last item.

Use Screen Curtain to eliminate display light

When VoiceOver is enabled, the screen itself can be turned off while the device remains fully usable. This feature, called Screen Curtain, allows users to rely entirely on audio output while avoiding light exposure.

  • Three-finger triple-tap: toggle Screen Curtain on or off.
  • If both Zoom and VoiceOver are enabled, a three-finger quadruple-tap may be required.

Adding Voice Control for hands-free interaction

Voice Control allows users to interact with on-screen elements using spoken commands. This can be particularly helpful when precise touch input or visual targeting is uncomfortable.

Common Voice Control commands

  • Open Mail
  • Scroll down / Scroll up
  • Go home
  • Show names (labels interface elements)
  • Show numbers (adds numbered overlays)

When an on-screen control is difficult to activate, VoiceOver can be used to identify the control’s name, and Voice Control can then activate it using that spoken label.

Reading and replying to Mail on iPhone using audio

  1. Open the Mail app using Voice Control or VoiceOver navigation.
  2. Move through the message list using swipe left and swipe right.
  3. Open a message with a double-tap.
  4. Listen to the message using a two-finger swipe up.
  5. Reply using Voice Control or VoiceOver navigation.
  6. Compose the reply using Dictation, speaking punctuation as needed.
  7. Send the message using a spoken command or VoiceOver activation.
  8. Enable Screen Curtain when light sensitivity is a concern.

Mac: Reducing visual load with VoiceOver

On macOS, VoiceOver enables spoken feedback and keyboard-based navigation across apps, including Mail. This allows users to work with less reliance on visual scanning.

Turn VoiceOver on or off

  • Command + F5: toggle VoiceOver.

Core VoiceOver navigation concepts

The VoiceOver cursor moves independently of the system focus and determines what is spoken. Navigation is performed using the VoiceOver modifier keys (often Control + Option).

  • VO + Arrow keys: move between items.

Quick Nav for streamlined navigation

Quick Nav can simplify navigation by allowing arrow keys or single keys to move through content without holding modifier keys. This can be especially useful once the basics feel comfortable.

  • VO + Q: toggle single-key Quick Nav.
  • VO + Shift + Q: toggle arrow-key Quick Nav.

Pacing and learning considerations

When screen exposure can trigger symptoms quickly, it helps to approach learning incrementally.

  • Practice in short sessions (5–10 minutes).
  • Focus first on listening and basic navigation.
  • Add Screen Curtain early if light sensitivity is significant.
  • Introduce Voice Control gradually for common actions.

Sources

Asked to Make Your iOS App Accessible to Blind People? There’s a Plan for that!

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Are you a developer who has been asked to make your iOS app accessible to blind people using Apple’s built-in VoiceOver screen reader? Are you uncertain how to respond, why you should care or where you can go to get started? I hope to demystify these questions and encourage you to create and improve your product in ways that empower and include all your customers, even those who can’t see the screens of their smart phones and tablets.

How should I respond to a request for VoiceOver accessibility in my app?

However you choose to respond, I would encourage you not to simply ignore the request. As a professional, you expect a timely response to communications you initiate, so please afford your blind customers that same courtesy when approached. Please consider the following ideas for communicating with users regarding accessibility requests:

  1. Respond to the request right away informing the customer you have received it and you will take steps to follow up promptly.
  2. If you have a bug-tracking or case management system, create a ticket and escalate it as needed in order to get an answer.
  3. If you do not possess the authority to make this strategic decision, please work with your company’s owner or executive leadership to urge them in the right direction. If you do have the necessary authority, please read on for information on how you can open your doors to your blind customers.
  4. If your business has decided to be inclusive to blind people, please respond affirmatively to your customer, utilize the resources provided here and elsewhere online and start working actively with the connected, online blind community.
  5. Regardless of the outcome, please remember to follow up with your customer by providing updates as you are able to release information to the public.

Why should I care?

There are at least four reasons why you should incorporate accessibility into your apps:

  • Accessibility is simply the right thing to do. Would you create an app designed to categorically exclude women, African-Americans, Chinese or any other group of people? If not, then why would you want to exclude blind people or anyone else with a disability? The answer to the accessibility question determines whether or not everyone, including people with disabilities, will be afforded the opportunity to learn, work, enjoy leisure activities or otherwise participate in the benefits your app offers.
  • There is a business case for accessibility.
  • Accessibility can be easy, fun and interesting. In 2015, the White House and several other U.S. government agencies sponsored a hackathon demonstrating and discussing techniques for improving the accessibility of several forms of technology.
  • Accessibility is the law of the land in many parts of the world. In the United States, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA), and numerous other lesser-known laws require accessibility and full inclusion of people with disabilities in activities, education, employment, products, programs and services offered to the public at large. Similar laws are on the books in many other nations. Failure to empower people with disabilities to use your app may result in complaints, lawsuits, loss of business, negative publicity and a poor reputation.

Where can I go to learn more about iOS accessibility and get started with developing my apps in an inclusive manner?

Apple provides an excellent overview of all the accessibility features available on its iOS platform. The Applevis online community hosts Information For Developers On How to Build Accessible iOS and Mac Apps. Finally, a comprehensive, systematic plan has been published to aid developers and others in beta testing and evaluating the accessibility of iOS apps with VoiceOver.

Let Your Voices be Heard at Foursquare

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The popular Foursquare iPhone app used all over the world to check into and learn about new places is usable by blind people, but it’s accessibility could be significantly improved by the developers.

A new topic was posted Tuesday on Foursquare’s Get Satisfaction forum asking for labeled buttons, fields and other controls to reduce confusion and make the iPhone app easier to use for blind people who rely on Apple’s built-in VoiceOver screen reader.

We ask all who regularly read this journal or follow us on Twitter to review this topic and leave your own comments. This app has featured many unlabeled controls for a long time now. It’s only through vigorous participation that we’re going to get Foursquare to pay attention to our concerns and fix the accessibility issues.