Making a device easier to use

Identify your device first

Are you using a Mac, a Windows computer, an iPhone or an Android device? Note the system version where possible. Menu names can vary between versions. Choose the provider's instructions for your device.

Which kind of support are you looking for?

• Magnification makes content larger. It is not the same as reading aloud.
• A screen reader presents screen content and controls through speech or supported output devices. VoiceOver and TalkBack are examples.
• Voice control means operating a device with spoken commands. It is a different function from a screen reader.

Apple explains these settings in its Mac guide. Google provides TalkBack and magnification instructions for Android. AbilityNet offers English-language guides to easier device use.

Change one thing at a time

First read how to turn the setting off again. Record the previous setting. Try one change and check whether it helps. A trusted person or an advice service may be useful when a setting is unfamiliar.

Turning on a screen reader can change touch gestures. Start with the official introduction, not during an important task.

Practise somewhere safe

Use a safe setting at home or elsewhere. Do not rely on AI image descriptions for traffic, medication dosing or other safety-critical decisions. This page helps you find guidance; it is not a device test or individual assistive-technology assessment.

Hearing and alternative input

For captions or transcription, use the dedicated PCHO hearing guide and manufacturer instructions. Apple also documents Switch Control, which offers alternative ways to select and operate controls. Do not turn it on without first understanding how to exit. A person using a wheelchair may or may not need an alternative input method: start with their preference, not an assumption.