{"id":113,"date":"2025-08-22T10:14:32","date_gmt":"2025-08-22T09:14:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/glowblogs\/digilearnscot25\/?page_id=113"},"modified":"2025-08-28T12:11:19","modified_gmt":"2025-08-28T11:11:19","slug":"accessibility-tools","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/glowblogs\/digilearnscot25\/accessibility-tools\/","title":{"rendered":"Accessibility tools"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Meet the needs of learners with Accessibility needs and empower all learners with the tools they need to engage in learning & teaching activities. This page will help you discover the ways accessibility tools are embedded into the products and services we use in our schools on a daily basis. Learn how to support a classroom culture where everyone can participate\u2014regardless of learning style or accessibility need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In schools across Scotland, we have access to multiple tools from providers such as Apple<\/strong>, Google<\/strong>, and Microsoft<\/strong>. Each have built in tools that can support users with accessibility needs specifically but can be used by all learners to engage in learning & teaching activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Google<\/strong>, Apple<\/strong>, and Microsoft<\/strong> offer a range of accessibility tools designed to help individuals with disabilities, including students, use their devices more effectively. Here’s an overview and how they can be used in school:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Accessibility Features Comparison for Users with Visual Impairments<\/strong><\/a><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
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Accessibility Features Comparison for Users with Cognitive Impairments\/Needs<\/strong><\/a><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
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Accessibility Features Comparison for Users with Mobility Issues or Lack of Dexterity<\/strong><\/a><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
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Comparison of Voice-Only Accessibility Features for Users with Mobility Issues<\/strong><\/a><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
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Accessibility Features Comparison for Users with Hearing Impairments<\/strong><\/a><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
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Best Option Overall:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s the short version first: if you can only pick one platform for mixed accessibility needs, choose iPadOS.<\/strong> It has the strongest \u201cworks-out-of-the-box\u201d set for vision, hearing, and mobility\u2014especially Voice Control, VoiceOver, Switch Control, AssistiveTouch, Live Captions, Sound Recognition<\/strong>, and seamless MFi hearing-aid<\/strong> support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Below is a concise decision guide based on the comparisons made.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overall recommendation<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
    \n
  • Primary daily device: iPadOS<\/strong>\n
      \n
    • Why: Best all-round built-ins (no extra software), reliable voice-only control, excellent touch alternatives, robust captions and sound alerts, simple setup, and strong battery\/instant-on for everyday use.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
      <\/div>\n\n\n\n
      Pick Windows<\/strong> instead (or add it) if you need:<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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      • Precision voice-only control<\/strong> with grid targeting and advanced text editing across desktop apps.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Eye tracking<\/strong> and the broadest adaptive hardware<\/strong> ecosystem (alternative mice, switches, custom drivers).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Screen reader choice<\/strong> and deep customisation, plus powerful automation and full desktop workflows.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
        <\/div>\n\n\n\n
        Pick ChromeOS<\/strong> if:<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
          \n
        • Your work is almost entirely web-based<\/strong>, you value simplicity and cost<\/strong>, and you mainly need Live Captions<\/strong>, Select-to-Speak<\/strong>, and basic voice dictation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Caveat: Weaker for advanced voice-only navigation<\/strong> and specialised hearing-aid integrations<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
          <\/div>\n\n\n\n
          Quick \u201cbest fit\u201d snapshots<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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          • Low vision (plus possible motor needs):<\/strong> iPadOS (VoiceOver + Zoom + AssistiveTouch + Braille).
            Add Windows if you rely on specialised desktop apps or eye tracking.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Voice-only user (limited dexterity\/grip):<\/strong> Windows (Voice Access + grid) or iPadOS (Voice Control).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Hearing impairment:<\/strong> iPadOS (Live Captions + Sound Recognition + MFi hearing aids) or Windows (system-wide Live Captions across desktop apps).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Cognitive support:<\/strong> iPadOS (Guided Access, Focus, Screen Time, Speak Screen) or Windows (Immersive Reader, Focus Assist)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
            <\/div>\n\n\n\n
            If possible, a hybrid<\/strong> wins<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

            Many learners\/users do best with iPadOS for day-to-day access<\/strong> and a Windows laptop\/desktop<\/strong> for specialised tasks (eye tracking, certain software, or complex voice workflows). This covers nearly every scenario without forcing trade-offs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            <\/div>\n\n\n\n
            What to test before deciding<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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            • Voice navigation accuracy and speed (open apps, select small targets, edit text).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Comfort with magnification\/screen reader gestures and reading flow.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Caption quality\/latency across your actual apps and calls.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Hearing-aid pairing stability and audio routing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Reliability with your required peripherals (switches, keyboards, pointers)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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              <\/p>\n\n\n\n

              <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

              Meet the needs of learners with Accessibility needs and empower all learners with the tools they need to engage in learning & teaching activities. This page will help you discover the ways accessibility tools are embedded into the products and services we use in our schools on a daily basis. Learn how to support a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":77007,"featured_media":139,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-113","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/glowblogs\/digilearnscot25\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/113","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/glowblogs\/digilearnscot25\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/glowblogs\/digilearnscot25\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/glowblogs\/digilearnscot25\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/77007"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/glowblogs\/digilearnscot25\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=113"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/glowblogs\/digilearnscot25\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/113\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":241,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/glowblogs\/digilearnscot25\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/113\/revisions\/241"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/glowblogs\/digilearnscot25\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/139"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/glowblogs\/digilearnscot25\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=113"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}