Using Everyday Technology

When we think about technology for aphasia, we might imagine specialist apps or expensive communication devices. But everyday technology - the phones, tablets, and smart devices we already use - can play a powerful role in supporting communication, independence, and confidence.

In this blog, we will explore the small adjustments we can make to our existing technology to make life with aphasia a little easier.

Adapting Phones and Tablets

Built-in Accessibility Features: Hidden Helpers

Most smartphones and tablets now come with built-in accessibility features that can be incredibly useful for people with aphasia.

Dark Mode

Dark mode can reduce eye strain and make text easier for some people to read.

• Click here to watch a tutorial for Android devices.
• Click here to watch a tutorial for Apple devices.

Dictation

Dictation is another widely available feature. Instead of typing, you can speak into your device and your words will be converted into text. This can be helpful for people who find spelling or the process of typing difficult. This would be more difficult to use for people who have difficulty speaking due to their aphasia.

• Pressing the microphone icon starts and stops the recording process.
  
• Click here to watch a tutorial for Android devices.
• Click here to watch a tutorial for Apple devices. 

Handwriting-to-Text

On WhatsApp, handwriting-to-text features can help with copying phone numbers or appointment details.

• You need a steady hand to take pictures of handwriting so that the device can translate this accurately. This may be challenging for people with limb weakness.
• The quality of the translation will also vary depending on how clear the handwriting you are trying to photograph is.
  
• Handwriting-to-text features function differently on every device. To find a tutorial, search for the the device you have e.g. Apple iPhone, or Samsung Android

Hearing Words Out Loud

Voice-over and text-to-speech tools can read written content aloud. For people who experience reading difficulties due to aphasia, these tools might help with understanding written information. Enabling voice-over will make the device speak out all the text on the screen. For some, this can be beneficial. For others, it might feel overwhelming. 

Enabling voice-over and text-to-speech

On some devices, you can hover over a message or text on screen and select ‘speak out’ for it to be read aloud.

• Click here to watch a tutorial for Android devices. 

Microsoft 'Seeing AI' App

The Microsoft Seeing AI app was developed for visually impaired people. It will give a spoken description of people, the environment, and details of written documents.

For people with aphasia, Seeing AI may be useful to read written information on letters and packaging aloud (for example) if reading is difficult. Seeing AI may be a less overwhelming alternative to voice-over as the user can choose from a range of settings to prevent all information on screen being read aloud.

• Click here to watch a video introducing 'Seeing AI'