VoiceOver Tutorial

Brian Clark

VoiceOver Tutorial (VOT) Welcome to VoiceOver Tutorial, the audio resource that helps low and no vision iPhone users unlock the power of VoiceOver—Apple’s built-in screen reader. Whether you are brand new to using your phone non-visually or just looking to sharpen your screen reader skills, VOT breaks down each feature into simple, clear steps. Each episode dives into one or more key core concepts for using VoiceOver and does so in a fashion to bring students slowly along while learning this powerful tool. Brian does this in a unique new way with the help of AI generated voices to help teach the lesson material and do so in a fun and engaging way. There are lots of guided lessons with friendly explanations, real-world examples, and a few well-timed jokes to keep things fun. This tutorial is not comprehensive, but we try to cover a lot with a focus on those making the transition to screen readers. From Messages and Mail to mastering the rotor, we’ll walk you through it all using accessible, screen reader–friendly language. Hosted by Brian Clark, lead trainer at First Aid for the Blind, this podcast is designed to build your confidence, one gesture at a time. When Brian was introduced to VoiceOver in 2017, it fundamentally altered his new, non-visual life by allowing him to reconnect to the world. Learn VoiceOver. Build independence. Laugh a little along the way. Contact: brian@faftb.com Visit: https://faftb.com

  1. EPISODE 1

    VoiceOver Tutorial – Episode 0, Getting in Touch with VoiceOver

    VoiceOver Tutorial – Episode 0, Getting in Touch with VoiceOver Learn to master your iPhone using VoiceOver! In our opening lesson of the VOT, Brian and Archer discuss some introductory concepts for using VoiceOver, the built in screen reader for low and no vision users of the iPhone. We discuss the concept of using finger gestures to control VoiceOver and explore some topics related to transitioning to using a mobile device in an all new way. February 2025   What You’ll Learn: • Alternative ways to do basic finger gestures • Alternatives for double tapping. • Practicle tips for learning gestures.   Pro Tips Shared: • Some times the swipe gesture works better when done with shorter, faster swipes. • The split tap gesture can be used instead of a 1-finger double tap. • You can reassign tricky gestures, like the rotor gesture, to a different finger gesture.    Learn More & Connect I’m Brian Clark, Lead Trainer at First Aid for the Blind, where we help people confidently learn non-visual tech skills and regain independence. My life without sight began in 2014, and it is now with great joy that I help others adapt to successful lives without useable vision.    https://faftb.com brian@faftb.com

    14 min

  2. EPISODE 1

    VOT Episode 1: Intro and Basic Gestures

    Learn to master your iPhone using VoiceOver! In Lesson1, we cover some of the theory behind VoiceOver, which is also common to other screen readers, and also the basic finger gestures for controlling VoiceOver. December 2024, iOS 18   What You’ll Learn: • The fundamental core concepts of Focus and Activate. • Basic gestures for moving the focus of VoiceOver. • How to access Practice Mode to be able to learn the different gestures.    Learn More & Connect I’m Brian Clark, Lead Trainer at First Aid for the Blind, where we help people confidently learn non-visual tech skills and regain independence. My life without sight began in 2014, and it is now with great joy that I help others adapt to successful lives without useable vision.    https://faftb.com brian@faftb.com

    27 min

  3. EPISODE 2

    VoiceOver Tutorial (VOT) Episode 2: Rotor Gesture

    Learn to master your iPhone using VoiceOver! In part 2 of our VoiceOver series, we begin to use the rotor gesture for navigation and settings. We also demonstrate how to configure the rotor to suit your needs. December 2024, iOS 18   What You’ll Learn: • How to use the rotor gesture by twisting two fingers on the screen to cycle through VoiceOver’s available options. • How rotor settings like Headings or Speaking Rate change how swipes work, helping you navigate content more efficiently. • How to customize which rotor options appear by adjusting your settings in Accessibility > VoiceOver > Rotor.   Pro Tips Shared: • Think of the rotor gesture like twisting a bottle cap— often, shorter, faster twists improves recognition. • If a rotor option isn’t showing up, the VoiceOver focus may be on a part of the screen where that option isn’t available. • Customize your rotor based on your habits—add options like “Buttons” if you know you’ll be using a page with just a few important ones.   Apps used in this lesson include:    Learn More & Connect I’m Brian Clark, Lead Trainer at First Aid for the Blind, where we help people confidently learn non-visual tech skills and regain independence. My life without sight began in 2014, and it is now with great joy that I help others adapt to successful lives without useable vision.    https://faftb.com brian@faftb.com

    15 min

  4. EPISODE 3

    VoiceOver Tutorial (VOT) Episode 3: on screen keyboard and typing mode

    Learn to master your iPhone using VoiceOver! In part 3 of our continuing VoiceOver tutorial, we cover the on-screen keyboard, the different ways of interacting with that keyboard and using dictation to transcribe our words rather than using the on-screen keyboard. December 2024, iOS 18   What You’ll Learn: • How to switch between the letter, numbers, and symbols keyboards using VoiceOver on an iPhone. • How the three VoiceOver typing modes—Standard, Touch, and Direct Touch—change how you enter text. • How to identify and navigate around key elements of the on-screen keyboard, including delete, return, and dictation.   Pro Tips Shared: • Practice each typing mode to see which one fits your style—touch typing is a favorite for many VoiceOver users once you get the hang of it. • Pay attention to the insertion point—VoiceOver reads characters as it passes them, not what it's on, which affects how you delete or edit text. • Use the rotor to quickly switch typing modes without leaving the keyboard.   Learn More & Connect I’m Brian Clark, Lead Trainer at First Aid for the Blind, where we help people confidently learn non-visual tech skills and regain independence. My life without sight began in 2014, and it is now with great joy that I help others adapt to successful lives without useable vision.    https://faftb.com brian@faftb.com

    26 min

  5. EPISODE 4

    VoiceOver Tutorial (VOT) Episode 4: Text Selection and Editing

    Learn to master your iPhone using VoiceOver! Part 4 of our VoiceOver Tutorial focuses on selecting text using the rotor gesture and editing text using several techniques. December 2024, iOS 18   What You’ll Learn: • Using the rotor to move the insertion point in a text field. • Selecting text in different increments. • Using rotor actions to edit or copy text.   Pro Tips Shared: • You can replace selected text directly with dictation. • The 3-finger quadruple tap, by default, will copy the last spoken text to the virtual clipboard. • Paste copied text using the Edit item on the rotor once you have the focus positioned in the desired spot.    Learn More & Connect I’m Brian Clark, Lead Trainer at First Aid for the Blind, where we help people confidently learn non-visual tech skills and regain independence. My life without sight began in 2014, and it is now with great joy that I help others adapt to successful lives without useable vision.    https://faftb.com brian@faftb.com

    22 min

  6. EPISODE 5

    VoiceOver Tutorial (VOT) Episode 5: Handwriting Mode

    Learn to master your iPhone using VoiceOver! In Part 5 of our tutorial, we take a look at Handwriting Mode, a method of using our finger as a stylus to enter letters, numbers and punctuation directly on the screen. This is an alternative method for inputting text rather than interacting with the on-screen keyboard. January 2025, iOS 18     What You’ll Learn: 🎯 What You'll Learn • How to activate Handwriting Mode using the rotor and when it becomes available on screen. • How to switch between different handwriting input modes like lowercase, uppercase, numbers, and punctuation using three-finger swipes. • How to use handwriting gestures to write, delete, add spaces, and create new lines directly with your finger.   Pro Tips Shared: • Practice your letter shapes—VoiceOver is more accurate when your handwriting is consistent and clearly formed. • You can write anywhere on the screen in Handwriting Mode, not just over the keyboard area. • Memorize the special gestures like two-finger swipe left to delete and three-finger swipe right to add a line—they’ll boost your speed and confidence.    Learn More & Connect I’m Brian Clark, Lead Trainer at First Aid for the Blind, where we help people confidently learn non-visual tech skills and regain independence. My life without sight began in 2014, and it is now with great joy that I help others adapt to successful lives without useable vision.    https://faftb.com brian@faftb.com

    14 min

  7. EPISODE 6

    VoiceOver Tutorial (VOT) Episode 6: Exploring VoiceOver Settings

    Learn to master your iPhone using VoiceOver! Amelia takes us through VoiceOver Settings in part 6 of our tutorial and also covers the Accessibility Shortcut, used for quickly toggling on or off accessibility features. January 2025, iOS 18   What You’ll Learn: • How to customize VoiceOver commands and gestures—including creating your own or reassigning ones you don’t use often. • How to set up and switch between VoiceOver Activities to suit different tasks like reading or web browsing. • How to adjust key interaction settings like Delay Before Selection and Double-Tap Timeout for a more comfortable experience.   Pro Tips Shared: • If double-tapping feels tricky, increasing the Double-Tap Timeout gives you more breathing room to register the gesture. • Configure the Accessibility Shortcut for quick VoiceOver toggling—triple-click the Home or Side Button depending on your iPhone model. • Use Activities to tailor VoiceOver behavior for specific apps or contexts—it’s like having a personalized mode for each task.   Learn More & Connect I’m Brian Clark, Lead Trainer at First Aid for the Blind, where we help people confidently learn non-visual tech skills and regain independence. My life without sight began in 2014, and it is now with great joy that I help others adapt to successful lives without useable vision.    https://faftb.com brian@faftb.com

    10 min

  8. EPISODE 7

    VoiceOver Tutorial (VOT) Episode 7: Navigating Web Pages in Safari using VoiceOver

    Learn to master your iPhone using VoiceOver! Amelia and Brian team up to show some tips and techniques for navigating web pages using VoiceOver. They also introduce Safari and give a brief tour of this browser. January 2025, iOS 18   What You’ll Learn: • How Safari is organized and how to use key features like the Address Bar, Toolbar, and Bookmarks button with VoiceOver. • How to use the rotor to navigate web pages by specific elements like Headings, Links, and Buttons. • How to customize the rotor for efficient web browsing and use Siri as a shortcut to open websites or search.   Pro Tips Shared: • Use the rotor to navigate by Headings first—this gives you a quick overview of a page's structure and content. • Add commonly used elements like Links, Buttons, and Form Controls to your rotor to jump directly to what you need. • Save time by bookmarking frequently visited sites and using Siri to bypass typing in the Address Bar.   Learn More & Connect I’m Brian Clark, Lead Trainer at First Aid for the Blind, where we help people confidently learn non-visual tech skills and regain independence. My life without sight began in 2014, and it is now with great joy that I help others adapt to successful lives without useable vision.    https://faftb.com brian@faftb.com

    19 min
See All Season 1 (19)

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About

VoiceOver Tutorial (VOT) Welcome to VoiceOver Tutorial, the audio resource that helps low and no vision iPhone users unlock the power of VoiceOver—Apple’s built-in screen reader. Whether you are brand new to using your phone non-visually or just looking to sharpen your screen reader skills, VOT breaks down each feature into simple, clear steps. Each episode dives into one or more key core concepts for using VoiceOver and does so in a fashion to bring students slowly along while learning this powerful tool. Brian does this in a unique new way with the help of AI generated voices to help teach the lesson material and do so in a fun and engaging way. There are lots of guided lessons with friendly explanations, real-world examples, and a few well-timed jokes to keep things fun. This tutorial is not comprehensive, but we try to cover a lot with a focus on those making the transition to screen readers. From Messages and Mail to mastering the rotor, we’ll walk you through it all using accessible, screen reader–friendly language. Hosted by Brian Clark, lead trainer at First Aid for the Blind, this podcast is designed to build your confidence, one gesture at a time. When Brian was introduced to VoiceOver in 2017, it fundamentally altered his new, non-visual life by allowing him to reconnect to the world. Learn VoiceOver. Build independence. Laugh a little along the way. Contact: brian@faftb.com Visit: https://faftb.com

Information

  • Creator
    Brian Clark
  • Episodes
    19
  • Seasons
    1
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026
  • Show Website
    VoiceOver Tutorial