Molly has Usher Syndrome, she’s deaf and blind. Hearing is partially restored by digital aids: her words. “we can see a bit, hear a bit.”
Molly is an enthusiastic Mac user with a valuable perspective on how iOS and macOS assistive tools extend our reach and open up the World for those restricted by disability.
The first post I read described how she uses her Apple Watch and its haptic components. Seldom if ever investigated by most, purely Assistive options lie buried within our device’s OS.
Once engaged with, optional methods of user interaction return power to those who simply need alternatives to fill gaps in conventional abilities. Sometimes a device operating in its normal mode provides cues through expanded channels such as sensors, coded vibrations, AI, sound etc. In doing so they lend themselves particularly well to user-groups who (gleefully) exploit their offerings to great effect.
For example, a vibration felt at the wrist prompting a turn on a pre-defined route is a cool tool for everyone. But on the wrist of someone who’s blind or partially sighted, it may represent independence when their four-legged friend is off familiar territory. There’s so much more, I’ll let Molly tell you about her life, her blog helps us think differently.
The Flying Soup Dragon 