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Voice Over is driving me to the brink of madness (self.Blind)
submitted by WEugeneSmith
I got my introduction to Voice Over last week, when I was able to take advantage of a program that offered one-on-one training. My trainer was wonderful, patient, and very good at demonstrating the process of navigating VO.
Then WHY am I still confounded by this tool?
I can answer the phone just fine (but I usually use my headphones anyway, so this is only marginally helpful).
I can read texts (and this is where VO is far superior than just using SIRI for this - I can read back through the conversation if necessary). I can respond, but then I cannot leave that conversation and go back to my messages. VO will say "back button", but pressing it or swiping it does not get me out.
Similarily, I am having a hard time navigating my APs.
I do see this trainer on Monday, but I am hoping to have made some progress so we can move on to some new skills.
Is there a good online resource (YouTube, maybe?) to help me to learn more and be better at usisng this tool.
Thank you.
Then WHY am I still confounded by this tool?
I can answer the phone just fine (but I usually use my headphones anyway, so this is only marginally helpful).
I can read texts (and this is where VO is far superior than just using SIRI for this - I can read back through the conversation if necessary). I can respond, but then I cannot leave that conversation and go back to my messages. VO will say "back button", but pressing it or swiping it does not get me out.
Similarily, I am having a hard time navigating my APs.
I do see this trainer on Monday, but I am hoping to have made some progress so we can move on to some new skills.
Is there a good online resource (YouTube, maybe?) to help me to learn more and be better at usisng this tool.
Thank you.
MostlyBlindGamer 14 points 1y ago
There's $1. Are you double taping to activate buttons? That's slightly unintuitive, but a single tap selects and reads, while a double tap activates.
retrolental_morose 9 points 1y ago
I've added a few gestures to VO on my phone.
Flicking up with 2 fingers presses back from where ever I am - this is a reading gesture by default but I use back far more.
I've also assigned 2 fingers left and right to move by heading, to make navigating some apps and the web faster.
:) stick with it, you'll fly eventually
Flicking up with 2 fingers presses back from where ever I am - this is a reading gesture by default but I use back far more.
I've also assigned 2 fingers left and right to move by heading, to make navigating some apps and the web faster.
:) stick with it, you'll fly eventually
vwlsmssng 5 points 1y ago
> I've added a few gestures to VO on my phone.
How do you add gestures to VoiceOver?
How do you add gestures to VoiceOver?
hljoorbrandr 2 points 1y ago
Not the person you asked but; its called assistive touch and allows you to create custom gestures.
Here is the link
$1
Here is the link
$1
CloudyBeep 2 points 1y ago
These are not VoiceOver-specific gestures like the previous commenter was referring to.
CloudyBeep 4 points 1y ago
VoiceOver includes a back gesture by default—a two-finger scrub. young can add multiple gestures for the same function and/or change the gesture for a specific function.
(I'm saying this for the OP's benefit to clear up any confusion that might arise from when they look at the list of gestures.)
(I'm saying this for the OP's benefit to clear up any confusion that might arise from when they look at the list of gestures.)
retrolental_morose 2 points 1y ago
Yeah, I find scrubbing hard with one hand. If you've got access to a good trainer and they can smooth your path, why not set things up the way you want them from the outset
WEugeneSmith [OP] 1 points 1y ago
Oh man, this is WAY over my head!
AllHarlowsEve 10 points 1y ago
I come bearing a $1 This has the gestures, their keyboard equivalents, and what they do. It's slightly out of date, but still applicable other than the home button references.
Once you learn the "scrub" gesture, your life, and using your phone, will become a million times easier.
Once you learn the "scrub" gesture, your life, and using your phone, will become a million times easier.
vwlsmssng 10 points 1y ago
VoiceOver is a much richer and more verbose touch interface than vanilla iOS user interface. This is because it doesn't rely on visual feedback and affordances (i.e. hints about what to do next.) There is a lot to learn about this amazing feature.
Allow about three months to get really competent, be patient and let your skills grow with learning and practice.
AppleVis have some guides here: https://www.applevis.com/guides/voiceover and have podcast that discuss many things related to Apple device use by blind users.
It took me a while to learn VoiceOver and I am fully sighted so I can see what I am doing. I learnt VoiceOver to help and accompany someone who needed to learn it. I recommend you try and find someone else, sighted or blind, willing to learn alongside you
Allow about three months to get really competent, be patient and let your skills grow with learning and practice.
AppleVis have some guides here: https://www.applevis.com/guides/voiceover and have podcast that discuss many things related to Apple device use by blind users.
It took me a while to learn VoiceOver and I am fully sighted so I can see what I am doing. I learnt VoiceOver to help and accompany someone who needed to learn it. I recommend you try and find someone else, sighted or blind, willing to learn alongside you
WEugeneSmith [OP] 2 points 1y ago
Thank you. Very helpful
bradley22 7 points 1y ago
There’s apple is.com.
When you find a button you want to click on, you have to double tap on it. Tap once and again quickly afterwards.
So if you’re on your back button, tap twice and you go back.
If you have any issues, feel free to PM me and I can help even more. I’ve been using VoiceOver and iOS for around six years now.
When you find a button you want to click on, you have to double tap on it. Tap once and again quickly afterwards.
So if you’re on your back button, tap twice and you go back.
If you have any issues, feel free to PM me and I can help even more. I’ve been using VoiceOver and iOS for around six years now.
Iamheno 6 points 1y ago
Are you familiar with the split tap?
Use one figer to select then after VO reads the selection, with your finger still on the screen, tap with a second finger. So for instance when you select your back button with your index finger tap your middle finger on the screen it will activate the button that is selected. I find it to be more efficient than using a single tap to select followed by a double tap to activate.
You can also use a two finger “scrub“ on the face of the screen to move you backwards in Messages. The scrub is done by putting two fingers on the screen and making a quick Z motion.
Use one figer to select then after VO reads the selection, with your finger still on the screen, tap with a second finger. So for instance when you select your back button with your index finger tap your middle finger on the screen it will activate the button that is selected. I find it to be more efficient than using a single tap to select followed by a double tap to activate.
You can also use a two finger “scrub“ on the face of the screen to move you backwards in Messages. The scrub is done by putting two fingers on the screen and making a quick Z motion.
WEugeneSmith [OP] 1 points 1y ago
I will ask the trainer about this on Monday. Thanks!
WideOpenEmpty 5 points 1y ago
Where do you get these "trainers"?
I'm gonna need one I think.
I'm gonna need one I think.
TechnicalPragmatist 3 points 1y ago
Many places have them community colleges sometimes I was that person for a bit. At blind centers, and other blindness places some are independent and do contract work and you will find them through these center or resources.
CloudyBeep 3 points 1y ago
Your local blindness organization. If you tell us where you're located, we can find you a nearby organization.
Iamheno 1 points 1y ago
I think you maybe in “Big Sky Country”? If so, theres a state organization for blind and visually impaired they can possibly provide services, but they are VASTLY understaffed at this moment.
WideOpenEmpty 1 points 1y ago
Found the office here, thanks. I'd just like someone to show me how to use my own phone.
Iamheno 1 points 1y ago
I just wrote basic lesson plans on 1, 2, & 3 finger gestures I had to teach to a fellow student. PM me if you’d like them.
TheModified 5 points 1y ago
Learning new things is always hard, I have the utmost belief that you will get there!
​
I know you can swipe sideways with three fingers to switch pages for example, but I'm far from an expert.
​
I know you can swipe sideways with three fingers to switch pages for example, but I'm far from an expert.
bradley22 4 points 1y ago
Here’s a YouTube link that might help: https://youtu.be/qDm7GiKra28
TechnicalPragmatist 3 points 1y ago
Voice over is complex and not easy to use. You will not learn it over night by any stretch of the imagination. Keep practicing and making progress.
WEugeneSmith [OP] 1 points 1y ago
Thanks! This gives me hope
TechnicalPragmatist 3 points 1y ago
Sure keep working on it you’ll be fine. You just need to practice and to get it perfect. Keep working with this person.
hljoorbrandr 3 points 1y ago
I used to be an Apple accessibility advisor and my favorite part of the job was teaching new users how to use VO. There is a dedicated line to call 24/7 and the advisors are trained specifically to assist VI users.
Link for how to contact at bottom of this comment.
Many of my former co-workers and myself would spend time with VO enabled on various products with the screen disabled so that we can understand how navigating works while using VO, as much as a seeing person can at least.
Unlike traditional support structures, the accessibility advisors are there to help provide how-to support and not just to fix things. I cannot stress how dedicated the team is.
$1
Link for how to contact at bottom of this comment.
Many of my former co-workers and myself would spend time with VO enabled on various products with the screen disabled so that we can understand how navigating works while using VO, as much as a seeing person can at least.
Unlike traditional support structures, the accessibility advisors are there to help provide how-to support and not just to fix things. I cannot stress how dedicated the team is.
$1
WEugeneSmith [OP] 1 points 1y ago
Thank you so much!
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