The Apple Watch has integrated several key accessibility features found in the iPhone, including VoiceOver and Grayscale, while also incorporating some unique Watch-specific features to improve accessibility.
Vision
VoiceOver
Apple Watch includes a built-in screen reader called VoiceOver, which lets you navigate the device even when you cannot see what is happening on the screen. The feature supports 37 languages. All native apps, including Maps, Messages, Mail, and Calendar are designed to be VoiceOver compatible. For added security and privacy, you can use Screen Curtain, which will turn off the display when you are using VoiceOver, while the navigation stays active.
A built-in magnifier called Zoom is available on Apple Watch. You have the choice to move around the screen by rows using the Digital Crown, or you can use two fingers to move across the screen. The magnification can be adjusted up to 15x the original size, which can work for a wide range of users with vision impairment.
Grayscale
For some users, colors may impair vision. To address this issue, Apple Watch includes the option of grayscale onscreen. Once you set the filter for this option, the grayscale settings will apply throughout the system.
Visual Enhancements
- Text Adjustments: The “Bold Text” feature will make the text on your screen appear darker. In addition, it provides the “Text Size” option, which lets you adjust the size of the text on your Apple Watch screen. All apps supporting Dynamic Type will adapt to your chosen reading size.
- Reduce Motion: Apple Watch lets you reduce screen motion. Once “Reduce Motion” is turned on, some of the elements on your screen (such as icon movement on the Home Screen) get simplified and more directly connected with your gestures for navigation.
- Reduce Transparency: This feature lets you increase the screen contrast by the background transparency behind various screen elements, such as Siri, Glances, and Alerts.
- X-Large Watch Face: The X-Large watch face option in your Apple Watch displays the time in a digital format with numbers that take up the full screen for easier viewing.
Hearing
Mono Audio
The Mono Audio settings in Apple Watch allow you to play both right and left audio channel tracks in both ears. You can adjust the balance for higher audio volume in either ear when you are using Bluetooth headphones. This feature works well for users with hearing impairment in one ear.
Taptic Engine
A fusion of “tap” and “haptic,” the innovative Taptic Engine will gently tap on your wrist each time you receive a notification. You can turn on Prominent Haptic if you want some regular alerts to be pre-announced.
Scribble
When you are not using Voice Dictation or you are unable to find the appropriate Smart Reply to respond to a message, Scribble lets you write back a message simply by scribbling letters on the display. Apple Watch will convert your scribbled letters into text.
Mobility & Motor Skills
Workout
The Workout app in Apple Watch provides two distinct outdoor wheelchair workout options – Walk Pace and Run Pace. When you select a particular workout, the system will turn on the appropriate sensors and fitness algorithms to help you track your activity more accurately. Instead of tracking steps, the device will track pushes with this setting. It will register various types of speeds, pushes, and terrains. It will also show a Roll goal in place of a Stand goal.
AssistiveTouch
This is one of the latest innovative accessibility features to support Apple Watch users who have limited mobility in the upper body limb. With built-in motion sensors, such as the optical heart rate sensor, accelerometer, and gyroscope, along with on-device machine learning, AssistiveTouch detects subtle changes in tendon activity and muscle movement.
This allows for easy navigation of a cursor on the display using hand gestures, such as a clench or a pinch. Users with limb differences in the upper body are more easily able to answer incoming calls, access Notification and Control Centers, and control the on-screen motion pointer without any need to touch the controls or display.
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