Mac for the Blind Audio Tutorial Series – iOS Lessons

Mac for the Blind Audio Tutorial Series – iOS Lessons

Welcome to the Mac for the Blind Audio Tutorial Series page for iOS. These lessons specifically address iOS devices, such as the iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch and Apple Watch, and both the VoiceOver features and iOS features of importance. Since iOS is updated yearly, I have tried to keep the material as general as possible so that the material addresses the vast majority of users.

Please check back here from time to time as these lessons will be updated, if necessary, or as I add more material. Furthermore, please feel free to send me feedback or any comments you might have to help me improve the material or for ideas for future lessons.


Important Copyright Info



Lesson 1: Introduction to VoiceOver and iOS

This file is free for you to download. This is an introduction lesson to help the newcomer to iOS get up and running. This goes over all of the basics from the importance of learning the physical layout of your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch to introductory VoiceOver gestures. The layout of screens are also described, as well as some other useful tips and suggestions for the best results in using your iOS device.

Click here to download it.


Lesson 2: Typing and Text Entry in iOS – Version 2

In this lesson, I go over some of the major ways to peform text entry on your iOS devices. This includes the Standard and Touch Typing methods, as well as discussing how to set up a Bluetooth wireless keyboard or a Bluetooth Braille display. The dictation feature is also explained as well.

Note that I do not cover the Direct Touch Typing feature nor do I describe the Braille Screen input methods in this lesson, as I wanted to keep it as basic and easy as possible for the new user, but offer additional material that might not be known to the experienced user.

Price: $30.00


Lesson 3: VoiceOver and the Item Rotor in iOS

The concept of the Item Rotor in iOS is first explained in this lesson. I present some specific examples of its use for you to follow. Then, I show the various ways one can perform the gesture to turn the rotor and then the way one uses the Item Rotor selection in some “real world” manners. I also cover how the Item Rotor works on Bluetooth keyboards and Braille displays as well.

Price: $35.00


Lesson 4: VoiceOver and Messages in iOS

In this lesson, I go over the Messages application for the iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch. This includes the differences between iMessages and Text Messages, and how to navigate your main conversation screen and delete unwanted conversations. The process of composing and replying to messages is detailed, as well as how to use SIRI to do these tasks. Finally, using an existing message to add a person as a new contact or to add them to an existing contact is explained.

Price: $35.00


Lesson 5: VoiceOver and the Phone App in iOS

This tutorial discusses the use of the Phone App in iOS. It covers all of the features of the application, including how to work with voicemails, the keypad and the Recents log. Additionally, the Favorites list is explained, as well as a few other tips.

Note that one can accept and hang up from telephone calls with VoiceOver running by using a two-finger double tap on the center of the screen. This has been a gesture available since the very beginning of VoiceOver’s development on iOS.

Price: $35.00


Lesson 6: VoiceOver and the Calendar in iOS

In this lesson, I cover the Calendar application in iOS. I explain the different views one can display for the calendar (day, month or year), as well as the various buttons and what each does in the app (Inbox, Calendars, Today, etc). Additionally, how to create events manually and with SIRI is detailed, as well as the differences between the iPhone and iPad calendars in how they display the month data.

Price: $35.00


Lesson 7: VoiceOver and the Contacts App in iOS

This lesson details the Contacts application in iOS. I go over the general layout of the main screen and how to search for or easily locate contacts. Additionally, viewing contacts, adding new contacts and editing existing contacts is discussed. I also talk about distribution groups and the subject of syncing contacts via the Apple iCloud cloud service.

Price: $35.00


Lesson 8: VoiceOver and Reminders in iOS

This lesson discusses the Reminders application in iOS. It covers how to use lists and for reminders, as well as adding and configuring new reminders. Marking reminders as completed and syncing your reminders is detailed, along with the use of location based reminders.

Price: $30.00


Lesson 9: VoiceOver and the Mail App in iOS

This lesson covers the Mail application in iOS for the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. Mailboxes and the “All Inboxes” mailbox are explained, as well as working with multiple email accounts. How to compose and reply to mail messages, and how to move or delete messages are also areas I cover, as well as reading messages and dealing with conversation threads. Lastly, I go over some tips for using SIRI to best utilize the Mail application and some Mail settings of importance.

Price: $40.00


Lesson 10: VoiceOver and Safari in iOS

This tutorial covers the in depth use of the Safari web browser in iOS with VoiceOver. It gives over a complete description of the various buttons and screens that one can access in Safari. Then, navigating content and the ways the Web Item Rotor are detailed. Other items I discuss include the Safari Reader feature and the Safari Reading List, as well as minor differences one will find when using Safari on an iPad compared to an iPhone or iPod Touch.

Price: $45.00


Lesson 11: VoiceOver and Notes in iOS

This tutorial discusses the Notes application in iOS. It explains the basic layout of the screens and how one can use folders to organize ones notes. Also, creating a note and utilizing some of the options, such as the checklist feature and text formatting choices, are discussed.

Price: $35.00


Lesson 12: VoiceOver and the App Store in iOS

This tutorial covers the topic of using the App Store in iOS. I go over how to search for applications, and then how to purchase or download them. The topics of updating apps, application accessibility, and some basic recommendations for useful apps for blind users is also detailed.

Price: $35.00


Lesson 13: VoiceOver and the Music App in iOS

This tutorial focuses on the Music application in iOS. I go over how to browse the music one has on their iDevice or in their iTunes Match account by artist, album, etc, and how to access ones playlists. I explain what the tabs at the bottom of the screen will allow you to access and how to view your account information. Finally, I present an orientation to the Apple Music Service and explain how to use it to browse stations or create your own stations.

Price: $35.00


Lesson 14: VoiceOver and Settings in IOS

This lesson discusses all of the Settings available in iOS. I try to do an overview of all of the settings you will find on your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch, and go into more detail for the most important ones. I also go over Accessibility and VoiceOver specific settings, and offer some tips and tricks that might be helpful to the user.

Price: $45.00


Lesson 15: VoiceOver and Manipulating Apps in iOS

In this tutorial, I first talk about the pre-iOS 10 way of moving apps around and creating folders. Then, I show you how to do this in iOS 10 plus. This also includes moving apps out of folders and deleting apps using the Action Menu.

Price: $20.00


Lesson 16: Using VoiceOver with iPhone X Models

This lesson specifically focuses on how to deal with the newer iPhone models that no longer feature a home button. I go over the new gestures and demonstrate how to use them, as well as talk about how to perform other actions, like invoking SIRI, without having a Home button. In addition, I offer a solution for folks who cannot master these new gestures so that they still have an alternative means of pressing a simulated home button and getting to the App Switcher.

Price: $25.00