Apple in the SEN classroom

Apple has always had a strong commitment to ensuring that its products have been as accessible as possible, for all users. Even in the 1980s, early versions of the Mac operating system had a number of features designed for visually impaired users to aid them with magnification, text sizing, and contrast. These are features which are still incorporated in today's operating system releases. To Apple, access for all is still a high priority almost thirty years on.

In those years, Apple has continued to add more features to their devices which empower a far wider user base. VoiceOver, for example, which describes exactly what is happening on your iPhone, Mac, Watch or Apple TV so you can navigate your device just by listening. Apple’s built-in apps also support VoiceOver, so your device can talk you through many of the tasks you use them for. The value of these developments to visually-impaired users is incalculable.

If you have a visual impairment, there are various other display accommodations which allow you to fine-tune or change colour filters to make the device usable, or to invert colours. Text sizes can be upsized so you can see smaller detail more clearly, or "Zoom" can be used to get a closer look. Reduced Motion can be set to prevent the movement of backgrounds behind menus whilst contrast and transparency levels can be modified to offer a clearer viewing experience.

Speak Selection can help enormously with word comprehension for a wide range of students, by reading out emails, web pages, and books. To respond, users can invoke Siri – Apple’s built-in personal assistant – with Dictation to assist with writing replies, by converting speech into text.

Switch Control is one of the more configurable features which provides an on-screen interface that enables individuals to control almost any feature on an iOS device via one or multiple switches. Without having to physically touch the screen, almost any feature can be then used by activating a switch.

Guided Access is often overlooked as a feature in SEN environments. It can be configured to prevent users accessing settings, or other apps on the iPad. In the classroom, keeping students focused on the work set, by preventing them from leaving the app they are in, is invaluable to hard-pressed teaching staff.

Alongside the long-term value provided, the initial cost of an iOS device, when compared to specialist education devices, or a mainstream device, such as a Microsoft Surface running Windows, is low. With the Surface starting at over £700, and a 6th Generation iPad at £250, the gap in cost for class-set could be significant. A simple example of a class of 30 Microsoft Surfaces could cost upwards of £21,000 whilst a similar iPad solution would only be £7,500. A significant saving and money that could be put toward software and protective cases.

A complimentary industry of peripherals and products have emerged around Apple’s iOS devices, which further add to the value the devices themselves can provide. Software and hardware makers have targeted the platform due to its popularity, as well as the already built-in accessibility features, and have further opened up the world of technology to many who might not otherwise have access.

When combined with the infrastructure of supporting products such as charging trollies and protective cases, choosing Apple devices for your school becomes a very strong proposition.

Apple builds powerful assistive features into their products to give people greater control over their lives and how they interact with technology. Whether that product is an iPhone, iPad or even an iMac, there are solutions and products to increase participation and enable and empower everyone.

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