What is Guided Access?

Apple's new iPhone 5 and iOS 6 are out and include many new accessibility features. One of the biggest accessibility features of iOS 6 is called Guided Access. iOS 6 is the operating system that runs on the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. To enable Guided Access go to Setting > General > Accessibility > Guided Access. Guided Access allows an parent or teacher to restrict access to a single app. This restricts kids from switch apps to watch videos or play games. Guided Access also allows parents and teachers to block off individual buttons within an app. For example if an app have setting a teacher could block it off so the students could not change app settings. Guided Access is great for teachers, users with autism or users with ADD. Guided Access allows teachers to administer tests on the iPad without worrying about students looking up the answers on the internet.

Watch the above video to learn how to use Guided Access. Click read more below to view more videos of Guided Access.

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Eyes Free Typing With Fleksy For iPhone

Fleksy is an app for the iPhone and iPod Touch that allows visually impaired users to type without needing to see the keyboard perfectly. Users press on the screen approximately where they think the correct letter is located on the keyboard. Fleksy is designed only for people with visual impairments. To use the typing feature in the app VoiceOver must be off, and then when you want to share the text you have typed you must turn VoiceOver back on by tripple-clicking the home button.

As the above video shows the taps on the keyboard can be fairly far from the correct letter without effecting the accuracy. If there are multiple possible words based on your taps. Fleksy will allow you to choose other likely words by flicking up and down on the screen.

After each word you must flick right to tell Fleksy that you are done typing that word. After each word, Fleksy will speak the word aloud using text-to-speech. To add punctuation you can flick to the right twice and the select the correct punctuation. If you have to enter a name, you can hold down on the keyboard and the letters will be spoken as your finger touches them, then you can release your finger to type the letter. To enter numbers and symbols rotate two fingers to switch between text, numbers and symbols. When you have typed your text, tripple-click the home button to turn on VoiceOver. Turning on VoiceOver automatically brings up the sharing menu which gives you the option to copy, email, text and tweet your text. Fleksy does not replace the standard iOS keyboard. I tested the app by closing my eyes while typing and found that the type was accurate and surprisingly fast. Fleksy claims that users can type up to 25 words per minute with practice. Fleksy is definately faster than typing with VoiceOver and the standard keyboard for visually impaired users. 

Fleksy sells for $14.99 on the App Store. Click here to download the app. Click read more below to view another video about Fleksy and to view screenshots.

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Watch Apple Announce iOS 6 Accessibility Features at WWDC

Watch the video above to learn more about the new accessibility features coming to iOS 6. The video will automatically start playing at the point were Guided Access is being announced. Click here to learn more about iOS 6 accessibility.

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Custom Label iOS Buttons to Work Better With VoiceOver

If an app has buttons that are not labeled well for use with VoiceOver, you can easily edit them to work better. If you are not familiar with VoiceOver click here. For example if an app has a button that is not labeled VoiceOver will just say "button" when you select it. If you custom label the button you can make VoiceOver describe the action that the button preforms. This makes it possible for people using VoiceOver to know what button they have selected. To change the label of a button simply select the button with the VoiceOver curser and double tap and hold with two fingers. This tip will work with the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad.This will bring up a box where you can then enter in a name for the button. Watch the video above for more information.

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How To Cut, Copy and Paste While Using VoiceOver

Cut, copy and paste is an important feature in iOS. It can be a little tricky for VoiceOver users to use cut copy and paste if you are not familiar with the process. Because it is a little tricky I will walk you through the process step by step.

1. Select the words you want to cut or copy with the VoiceOver cursor by touching the line or flicking left or right.
2. Rotate the VoiceOver rotor to either "words" or "lines." To rotate the VoiceOver rotor place two fingers on the screen and turn them left or right. If you select "lines" you will select one lines at a time and if you select "words" you will select one word at a time.
3. Pinch out with two fingers to begin to select the words you want to cut or copy. VoiceOver will speak which words have been selected.
4. Rotate the rotor to "edit" mode and then swipe up or down to hear all of the options. It will give you options such as cut, copy, paste, define and more depending on which app you are using.
5. When you hear the option you want, double tap anywhere on the screen. Now you have copied the text.
6. To paste the text navigate to a text box and then double tap and hold. Then swipe to navigate to the paste button and then double tap anywhere on the screen to paste the text.

Apple says the following about cut, copy and past with VoiceOver.

"Cut, copy, and paste comes to iPod touch. To bring up cut, copy, and paste options, use the rotor and choose Edit. Flick up or down to choose between the Select and Select All functions, then double tap. If you choose Select, the word closest to the insertion point is selected when you double tap. Pinch to increase or decrease the selection. If you choose Select All, the entire text is selected. When text is selected, cut, copy, and paste options appear on the screen. If you want to undo something, just give iPod touch a shake. You can also flick left or right to choose the undo action, then double tap." 

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TurboScan App Review

TurboScan is a app for the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch. The app uses the built in camera to capture a document and convert the image to excellent quality PDF files. TurboScan is $1.99 in the App Store. The app will not work very well with the iPad or iPod Touch because they do not have high quality cameras like the iPhone. The app has a simple interface that is easy to learn. It allows you to capture documents by taking a picture with your iPhone camera or import one from your album. TurboScan also has an option to take three pictures of the document for better accuracy. TurboScan also allows users to scan documents that are more than one page.

Once you have taken the picture of your document TurboScan detects the edges of the document and makes a PDF file. The apps has a few sharing options but not as many as JotNot Pro. The sharing include email and a really nice option called "email to myself" witch allows to quickly email your self the documents you have created.

Once you have your documents on your computer you can open them with Kurzweil to use all of Kurzweil's features such as read aloud and note taking. The PDF files created are crisp and clear.

Click read more below to see more pictures and videos of TurboScan.

Document made with TurboScan click for full size

App provided complimentary to reviewer 

  

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Kraken II Dockable Case for iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S

Many people, including children, use the iPhone as an assistive technology device. The Kraken II Dockable case is an ideal case to protect your iPhone. The Kraken II Dockable Case is great for both children and adults who need superior protection for their iPhone. The case will protect against most bumps and drops so there is less need to worry when using the iPhone.


The Kraken II Dockable Case is a rugged and protective case for the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S. It features three layers of protection and a few cool features. The first layer of protection is a silicon inner shell. The inner shell is attached to the second layer of protection which is a plastic outer shell. The third layer of protection is a build in screen protector which protects the screen against damage. The outer plastic is a soft touch material that feels nice in the hand and does not show finger prints. All of the ports and buttons are covered with rubber but are still usable. The headphone port, mute switch, and dock connector are covered by rubber flaps to keep out dust. The lock and volume buttons are easy to feel and provide good tactile feed back. The home button is flush with the front of the case and can be hard to locate by feel. The phone speaker is covered by a dust shield that works well. Much like the Kraken AMS, case the Kraken II Dockable Case has a kickstand on the back which is perfect for video chat and much more. On the bottom of the case is a thick silicon flap that can be easily removed to dock the case. It is not common for a rugged case to be able to be dockable. However, with the flap off it is difficult to push the home button because it is very recessed.


At the time of the posting, the case costs about $30 from Amazon.com. Trident says the following about their docking feature of the case:

"The bottom of the case features a removable silicone sleeve which allows the case to be placed in a docking station without the hassle of removing the case."

The case does add bulk to the phone, and makes it heavier and less sleek, but if you are looking for protection, and the ability to dock your iPhone this case is for you.


Click read more below to see more videos and pictures of the Kraken II Dockable Case.

Case was provided complimentary to the reviewer.

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Trident Kraken AMS for iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S

Many people including children  use the iPhone as an assistive technology device.  The Kraken AMS cases is an ideal case to protect your iPhone. The Kraken AMS is great for both children and adults who need superior protection for their iPhone. The case will protect against most bumps and drops so there is less need to worry when using the iPhone.

The Trident Kraken AMS has three layers of protection: a silicon inner sleeve, hard plastic outer shell and a built in front screen protector. The inner layer is a thick silicon that can be used as a stand alone case in less rugged situations. The inner silicon has thick corners  for added protection. The outer layer is a hard plastic that snaps into place around the silicon. The built in screen protector does not effect the screens performance. 

 It has a nice mat finish that feels great in the hand and does not show finger prints. The back is slightly tapered to fit better in the hand. All buttons and ports are covered to block dust. The headphone port and 30-pin connector are under silicon tabs that can be removed to access the ports. The headphone port is smaller than most cases and may require the use of an included adapter to work with larger headphones.

 The home button and sleep/wake button are also covered but they are still easy to find and press. The ringer lock switch is very recessed and may be difficult to access for some users with larger fingers and shorter finger nails. The volume buttons are easy to press and provide great tactile feedback. The back of the case has a cut out for the camera and flash and the Apple logo. To protect the Apple logo from scratching, the case comes with a rear protective film. 

Also on the back is a removable kickstand which makes hands free FaceTime or Skype calls simple. It also allows you to read or watch videos at an angle, hands-free. The kickstand can be removed and replaced with other connections such as tripod connections and more. The case includes a belt clip that clips onto the front of the iPhone. The Kraken AMS comes in many different color combinations including green, blue, black, pink and red. The Kraken AMS is a tough case that will help to protect your iPhone from everyday life. The Kraken AMS costs $49.95 and is available from the Trident Store. Click here to learn more about cases made by Trident cases.

All of this protection adds bulk to the phone, and makes it heavier and less sleek, but if you are looking for protection, this is a great choice.

Trident says the following about their Kraken AMS cases,

"Kraken cases are for users with intense lifestyles who need a case that can take serious abuse. Police officers, firemen, campers, military personnel and construction workers are examples of users who have given the best reviews of Kraken cases. These are also perfect for young kids."

Click read more below to see more videos and pictures of the Kraken AMS for iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S.

Case provided complimentary to the reviewer

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