 As someone with sight loss, my career teaching computer science could have posed a lot of difficulties. But thanks to the hardware and software I use, chiefly Apple's VoiceOver screen reader, I am able to thrive. The feature, built in to all Apple devices, simply works by reading out loud any text based information on my phone. I navigate the app with hand gestures it can recognise, while on my Mac I use keyboard shortcuts. When it comes to other tasks like setting timers, making calls and managing my calendar I often rely on Siri. I lost my sight at a young age, through a degenerative eye disorder known as retinitis pigmentosa. This meant my sight deteriorated through the years, and the struggles I had with communication were made harder by touch screens and instant messaging becoming the dominant means of interaction. I'd struggle to impart my knowledge on pupils without technology (Picture: Simon Wheatcroft) I still had my eyesight when the first iPhone came out so I was able to use it as usual and as my eyesight deteriorated, I was grateful that VoiceOver was able to pick up the slack. As things got worse, I still wanted to remain active so relied on apps like RunKeeper, which has good accessibility functions, to help me be able to start running. As my condition is degenerative, I went from being able to run freely and detect obstacles on the route, to not being able to see in front of me, only being able to see light. Running became increasingly important to me, and I didn't want to face giving it up, so I relied more heavily on apps to try and better navigate running outdoors and create GPS running routes with audio prompts to keep me on the right track. It was then when I realised that technology could enable me to be independent. From running training, to my role in the classroom, software like VoiceOver allows me, as a blind person, to no longer see technology as anothe){kind=link}
NEWS… BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT
As someone with sight loss, my career teaching computer science could have posed a lot of difficulties.
But thanks to the hardware and software I use, chiefly Apple’s VoiceOver screen reader, I am able to thrive.
The feature, built in to all Apple devices, simply works by reading out loud any text based information on my phone.
I navigate the app with hand gestures it can recognise, while on my Mac I use keyboard shortcuts. When it comes to other tasks like setting timers, making calls and managing my calendar I often rely on Siri.