In recent years, Google has gone to great lengths to bolster the accessibility of Android devices. And although iOS still wins top honors for built-in accessibility, Google has released some interesting accessibility add-ons that warrant some further discussion.

The Android Accessibility Suite is a free add-on that can be downloaded via Google Play store. This suite is designed to add on to the existing accessibility features that come pre-loaded on Android devices. Adding this suite not only gives users access to additional features and services, it provides users with additional options and tutorials and provides accessibility-focused users with a central hub where they can learn about and experiment with various features and services.

How to Install

First, the Android Accessibility Suite needs to be downloaded and installed via Google Play store.

1. Open the Google Play store and search for “Android Accessibility Suite”.
2. Tap on “Install”.
3. Once the installation is complete, the features will be available via Settings>Accessibility. The Android Accessibility Suite is NOT an app and cannot be opened or searched for, so once the suite is installed, the only way to access it is through the Accessibility screen.

Added Features

To turn on new accessibility features, go to Settings>Accessibility, and scroll down to the bottom of the screen. As of now, the added services are:

• Select to Speak: Select text to have it read aloud.
• Switch Access: Designed for individuals who struggle with physical interactions, switch access allows users to control their device using one or more switches
• TalkBack screen reader: TalkBack provides spoken feedback, allows users to control their device with gestures, and allows users to type with the on-screen braille keyboard.

Requires Android 6 or later. To download the Android Accessibility Suite from the Google Play store, please click here.

his post originally appeared on the AT Help Desk(new window) website.

Tags: apps, AT HelpDesk