Phones, tablets, and computers now come with many built-in accessibility features, but they’re often hidden behind menus and jargon.
This page covers:
- Common accessibility features in operating systems
- How they support different kinds of access needs
- Ideas for configuring devices to reduce fatigue and overwhelm
It’s platform-neutral on purpose; contributors can add sections for specific systems.
Many platforms offer:
- Screen readers (spoken feedback + focus navigation)
- Text-to-speech and speech-to-text
- Magnification and zoom
- Display options (larger text, bold text, high contrast, dark mode)
- Color filters and color blindness adjustments
- Subtitles and caption styles
- Switch control, head tracking, or other alternative input methods
- Assistive touch or on-screen alternative to hardware buttons
- Focus and notification controls (Do Not Disturb, focus modes, scheduled downtime)
- Shortcuts and automation that can reduce repetitive actions
Examples:
- Blind or low-vision users may rely on screen readers, zoom, and high contrast modes.
- People with fine motor difficulties may use switch control, larger tap targets, or external input devices.
- People with chronic pain or fatigue may use voice control and automations to reduce repetitive actions.
- People with sensory sensitivity may switch off animations, reduce motion, dim brightness, and tightly control notifications.
- People with cognitive or executive function disabilities may use focus modes, simplified home screens, and reminders.
Contributors can add experience-based guides like:
- “How I set up my phone for chronic migraine”
- “Minimalist home screen layouts for ADHD and executive function access”
- “Using voice control to replace most tapping”
Potential subheadings for contributors:
- iOS / iPadOS accessibility
- Android accessibility (stock and major vendor variations)
- Windows accessibility
- macOS accessibility
- Linux and open-source accessibility tools
- Game console system-level accessibility settings
Each section can include:
- Where to find accessibility settings
- Key features and how to enable them
- Known issues and workarounds
- Links to official documentation
¶ Barriers and Gaps
Even with built-in features, many disabled people face:
- Options buried in complex menus
- Features that don’t work well together
- Updates that break setups people rely on
- Lack of good documentation in plain language
- Vendors ignoring non-visual or non-mobility disabilities (e.g., cognitive overload, trauma triggers)
This page should reflect those realities, not just repeat marketing claims.