Matty’s Guide To the iPad’s Accessible Voice Control Feature

From my experience the iPad has improved over the last few years, in terms of accessibility. When I first started using an iPad, there were no accessibility features. However, a few years ago I discovered that the iPad 14 pro had its own section in the settings area dedicated to accessibility.

In my situation I can not use my hands, therefore I use one of the features of the accessibility area which is called show grid. This means when I say “show grid” a grid appears on the screen which allows me to open apps and do pretty much everything on my own, this feature is also on apple computers.

Here is a video showing how I use it, how ever you can adapt this to your needs/ability.

How To Get Started Using Voice Control

When I first started using voice control, I had no idea how to start using voice control. I soon found out that all that was needed was to go into settings and open the accessibility area and then turn on voice control. Be aware that the voice control will continue to listen to you while having conversations. Though its very accurate it will type words you don't want to. It will also type what everyone is saying. Personally, to avoid this happening, I say "go home" which takes me back to the iPad home screen so it can't type the conversation. I have a good laugh with my support staff when I say, "go home," as they think I'm telling them to go home - its a great laugh. With a lot of practice, I am now extremely fast at using the grid, as seen in the video above. The iPads iOS system has to be iOS 13 or later in order for voice control to work.

Using Voice Control

Voice Control offers a seamless experience by enabling users to perform a variety of actions such as tapping, swiping, and typing. Here are some key functions:

·      Basic Commands: Users can say commands like “Open Safari” or “Go Home” to navigate their iPad.

·      Dictation: Dictating text is as simple as saying "Tap", followed by the on-screen element’s name or number. For example, "Tap Send" to send a message.

·      Numbers and Grids: Voice Control can display a numbered grid over the screen, allowing users to say the corresponding number to interact with a specific area of the screen. You can see me doing this in my video.

Customizing Voice Control

Voice Control is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Apple has designed it to be highly customizable, ensuring that users can tailor it to their needs. Here’s how you can customize Voice Control:

·      Create Custom Commands: In the Voice Control settings, users can create custom commands for frequently used actions. For example, you could create a command like “Check Weather” that opens your favorite weather app.

·      Adjust Sensitivity: Fine-tune the sensitivity of voice recognition to suit your speaking style and environment.

·      Language and Accent: Voice Control supports multiple languages and accents, allowing users to select their preferred language for commands.

Tips for Effective Use

To get the most out of Voice Control, consider the following tips:

·      Clear Commands: Speak commands clearly and naturally for better accuracy.

·      Practice: Familiarize yourself with the range of available commands to enhance your proficiency.

·      Environment: Use Voice Control in a quiet environment to minimize background noise interference.

• THE MORE YOU PRACTISE, THE BETTER VOICE CONTROL WILL UNDERSTAND YOUR VOICE AND RESPOND TO IT, EVEN IF IT IS UNCLEAR AT TIMES.