How to use VoiceOver in iOS 6 for iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch

You will hear descriptions of every item on the screen, including status information such as battery level, Wi-Fi and cellular network signal levels, the cellular network provider, and time of day. It lets you know when the display changes to landscape or portrait orientation, and when the screen is locked or unlocked. To activate the Accessibility features on your device:

• Select Settings + General + Accessibility.
  • To use the VoiceOver function, press the VoiceOver option under Vision.
  • Press the On/Off Switch to On for VoiceOver.

Gestures

Using various gestures with VoiceOver you can operate the functions of your device.

• Roam your finger around the screen until you hear an item, or tap once directly on that item to select it.
• Double-Tap to activate the selected item.
• Swipe three fingers to scroll up or down.

Typing Feedback

• By default both Characters and Words are spoken as you type for both Software Keyboards and Hardware Keyboards.
• Tap to select from the following typing feedback options for both Software and Hardware keyboards:
  • Nothing
  • Characters
  • Words
  • Characters and Words

Phonetics

After a pause VoiceOver can speak the phonetic name of a letter (such as Alpha, Bravo etc) to aid understanding.

• Use Phonetics is switched on by default once VoiceOver is switched on.  To turn off this option press the On/Off button.

Pitch Change

• Use Pitch Change is switched on by default once VoiceOver is switched on.  To turn off this option press the On/Off button.

Speaking Rate

The speaking rate is adjustable so you can set it to a speed that best suits your listening ability. VoiceOver also uses distinctive sound effects to alert you when an application opens, when the screen is updated, when a message dialog appears, and more.

• To change the Speaking Rate tap on the slider and flick up or down to increase or decrease the speed of the voice.

Braille

You can use a refreshable braille display that uses Bluetooth wireless technology to read VoiceOver output in braille. In addition, braille displays with input keys and other controls can be used to control your device when VoiceOver is turned on.

• To connect a Braille device press Braille.  You will need to have Bluetooth enabled.
• By default Eight-dot Braille is selected.  To turn on Contracted (grade 2) Braille press the On/Off button.

Navigate Images

• By default Navigate Images is set to ‘Always’, but you have the option to change that option to ‘With descriptions’ or ‘Never’.  Tap on Navigate Images and select from one of the alternative options.

Speak Notifications

• By default VoiceOver does not speak notification messages. To turn on this option tap the On/Off button to allow notifications to be spoken.

Rotor

VoiceOver features a virtual control called a “rotor.” Turning the rotor, by rotating two fingers on the screen as if you were turning an actual dial, changes the way VoiceOver moves through a document based on a setting you choose. You can also use the rotor to navigate web pages. When you are on a web page, the rotor contains the names of common items, such as headers, links, form elements, images, and more.  By tapping on the Rota options you will be able to select which screen elements you would like VoiceOver to include in the rotor.

• Rotating two fingers on screen will bring up a virtual dial which you can then use by rotating your fingers in a clockwise or anticlockwise direction.
• VoiceOver will speak each option as you turn through the dial.  For example, selecting headers from the rotor and then flicking up or down the screen will move you onto the next heading.