iOS,+Accessibility,+&+ELL

**iOS Devices, Accessibility, and ELL**
===While iOS (Apple's mobile operating system for iPod Touch, iPad, and iPhone) contains numerous features beneficial for education, the accessibility features provide help for not only students with sight and hearing disabilities, but also ELL students.===

One of the most exceptional tools built into the iOS framework of iPads, iPod Touches, and iPhones is Voiceover. With speed controls and the ability to guide users with sight disabilities through a thorough use of the device, Voiceover is an application worthy of more attention. While the iOS framework supports a variety of accessibility options, the Read to Me feature within Voiceover can prove very useful in the field of education, particularly for English language learners. The main idea behind Read to Me is exactly what it sounds like. When text (from one word to an entire page) is selected, users who have turned on the feature have the option for the familiar “Siri”-like voice read the passage. While Read to Me can’t be used in every application, its most practical use is in iBooks. There are multitudes of free books in the iBookstore including many classics and teachers making use of BookCreator for iPad or Book Creator for iPhone/iPod Touch can create their own “speakable” epub resources for their students. Text from “reader” apps like Instapaper, Blogger, and other RSS readers. Essentially, a teacher could be creative in where he would like students to access material and then provide content for students to either read on their own then have it read back for verification or practice reading while the text is being read for them. For English language learners, the Read to Me feature of iOS devices can provide an excellent solution as an e-reader device. If your ELL student already has an iPod Touch, develop a plan with their teachers and parents to use it. If your school has a set of iPods, work them into your classroom for students who may need help with written text. For more information on how to set up the Accessibility features on iOS devices, follow the link to Apple’s Support Page on the topic.